What States Make Up the Four Corners?

The Four Corners Region is a unique area in the Southwestern part of the United States. The Four Corners is a meeting point made up of four different states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Utah
If you were wondering what States make up the Four Corners, that was the short answer.
But there is a lot more interesting stuff to learn about the Four Corners area! In this post, we’ll cover when the area was created, which big cities are there, why it’s actually governed by 6 bodies, in addition to the one spot where you can be in all four states at once!
Contents
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Why do 6 Governments Have Jurisdiction Over the Four Corners?
The Four Corners area was created in 1848, right after the Mexican-American war. Congress took a few years to finalize the coordinates, territory assignments, and legal definition of the borders.
There were a few surveying errors along the way, but that was all rectified in due time. In 1925, the Supreme Court settled the matter of misplaced lines. It was then that the Four Corner area was fully defined.
The Four Corners Region consists of the four governments of the individual States, in addition to the tribal governments of two native populations; the Navajo Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Jurisdiction over the various areas in the region is divided between the six entities without any conflict. The Navajo Nation has its capital in Arizona, at Window rock, whereas, the Ute Mountain Tribe have their headquarters at Towaoc, Colorado.
It’s worth noting that the Four Corners Monument is run by the Navajo Nation Department of Parks and Recreation.
❓ Trivia Time: Which state is the Badlands in?
What Cities Make up the Four Corners?
The Four Corners Region is a part of the Colorado Plateau, which is a mostly rocky patch of land in the Southwestern states. The area is predominantly arid, but there are some rural spots, around which some cities sprouted and thrived.
The biggest cities in the Four Corners Region are Farmington in New Mexico and Durango in Colorado. The main attractions around these places are the parks, canyons, and scenic valleys. There are also some mountain ranges that constitute touristic destinations. Among them are the Abajo Mountains, the Sleeping Ute Mountains, and the Chuska Mountains.
Other populous cities in the Four Corners include:
- Teec Nos Pos, Kayenta, and Chinle, Arizona.
- Cortez, Colorado
- Monticello and Blanding, Utah
- Shiprock, Aztec, and Bloomfield, New Mexico
Where Can I Stand in 4 States at Once?
There is one unique point in the whole of the US where four states meet. That location is the “Four Corners” intersection of the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

In appreciation of the distinction of this point, the American government built a monument that marks the borders and their intersection clearly.
The Four Corners Monument was established around 1860, which is also around the time of the American Civil War. There is a ton of history and geography packed into that place!
The monument consists of a granite disc, with a bronze disc inside it, and embossed on it you’d find the names of each of the States that comprise the Four Corners. Up to this day, people from all over the country visit the monument and immortalize the moment with photographs.
❓ Trivia Time: What state borders the most states? (Hint: it’s actually two states!)
Can You Still Go to Four Corners Monument?

The Four Corners Monument is quite an interesting place, and luckily, it’s open for visitors all year round. The times differ though from the cold to the warm season, and it closes its doors on national holidays.
The main attraction at this park is the fact that you can stand in all four states simultaneously. This spot is clearly marked, with lines demonstrating where the boundary lines for each State lie.
While this geographic point is noteworthy, the park provides various other activities where families can find entertainment and adventure. There are also museums, galleries, and performing art venues where the native culture is on full display.
❓ Trivia Time: Which State Has the Most National Parks? We bet you can’t guess!