Teec Nos Pos Travel Guide

Four Corners is the only place in the US where four states meet at a single point.

Apprently many people derive a considerable amount of innocent pleasure from placing each limb in a separate state. Bob didn't think of that, or else it was too cold, so he put his heels in two of the states and his toes in the other two.

Our cars (1932 Plymouth and 1964 VW bus) are in Colorado, as is our daughter, and my dad has one foot in Colorado and the other foot in Utah.

Now there is a Visitor Center which is open year round, and features a Demonstration Center with Navajo artisans. Navajo vendors sell handmade jewelry, carts and traditional Navajo foods nearby.

Park hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through mid-August and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. mid-August through April. An entrance fee is charged and parking is available.

Picnic table and portable, self-contained restrooms are available. No water is available. Services and accommodations are limited to small cafes, grocery stores and self-service gasoline stations within a 30 mile radius.

The only way that I know of to get to Four Corners is by road. The monument that marks the meeting place of the four states can be accessed by a clearly marked short spur road from US160.

It is in a Native American reservation.

We were on our way from Kingman AZ to Mesa Verde. I took this picture of the 1932 Plymouth from the wheel of the VW bus - you can see the reflection of the wheel of the bus in the window.

At present, a small entrance fee is made for visitors - a Dollar or two per car. Also there is now a small Native American market/trading post adjacent to the monument. I don't remember either of those things being there in 1966, but we were obviously here late in the day.

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We chatted with some wonderful Dine Artist. One artist told me about the Dine history. It was fantastic. Such a lovely lady as well as the other lady who had pottery done with horse hair. It is actually very beautiful. I bought some as gifts for Christmas presents for loved ones. Any way, this was a wonderful experience and I think everyone should visit. Many of the artist sign their wares with their names and clans. So look for this signature to know that your getting authenic Dine wares.

A story was told to me by a Dine Artist, that the Navojo (Dine) people lived underground and were fed and cared for by the Ant People before they could live upbove ground in their great land. She was a sand artist and I bought this wonderful sand art from her.

Navajo Sandpaintings, also called dry paintings, are called "places where the gods come and go" in the Navajo language. They are used in curing ceremonies in which the gods' help is requested for harvests and healing.

The figures in sand paintings are symbolic representations of a story in Navajo mythology. They depict objects like the sacred mountains where the gods live, or legendary visions, or they illustrate dances or chants performed in rituals.

Open 8:00am - 5:00pm (Oct - May)
Open 7:00am - 8:00pm (June - Sept)

Admission $3.00 (all ages)

Four Corners Park Manager
PO Box 2520
Window Rock, AZ 86515

Four Corners is in the middle of the Navajo reservation. This picture was taken from the car of a hogan in the Four Corners area. This is a very large reservation which has 18,119.2 square miles in Arizona.

According to the Economic Development Research Program of Arizona University: "The Navajo refer to themselves as the Diné, or "the People". In 1868, a peace treaty was signed allowing the Navajo people to return to their homeland. Today, the Navajo Tribe represents the largest Indian Tribe in the U.S. and stretches across the high deserts and forests of the four corners region. Tourism has a significant role in the Navajo Tribe's economy, as it is home to natural wonders such as Canyon de Chelly and Rainbow Natural Bridge. The Navajo Nation is also home to Diné College, the first tribally controlled community college in the country. The college features a six story, hogan shaped cultural center."

The main thing to do here is stand in line for a long period of time waiting for your chance to be in four states at once. While you are standing there the other people in line ar glaring at you wanting you to huury up and leave. You also have to walk a gauntlet of stalls selling souvenirs, jewelry, etc. There are probably not too many return visits to this site.

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When we were visiting, the lovely Dine Woman was quick to point out the Sleeping Beauty Mountain as she called it. She was like look, "The Chief is sleeping!" You have such a lovely view of the whole span of the mountian. It is said from the left is his head rest speading and you can almost see his arms the cross his chest, then as you pan down to the right you can see his knees and then his toes.

I did some research and found this information:

Towaoc is at the base of Sleeping Ute Mountain, which resembles a sleeping Indian with his headdress to the north. The legend is this was a Great Warrior God who helped fight against evil ones, and during the battle his feet formed the mountains and valleys. The Great Warrior God was wounded and while resting he fell into a deep sleep.

He continues to care for his people. Blood from his wound became living water and rain clouds come from his pockets. The changing of his blankets bring the seasons: dark green, yellow and red, and white. http://www.ausbcomp.com/Redman/ute_mountain.htm

It's a great story and one my oldest enjoyed.

Favorite thing: The monument has a Vistor Center so you can find out more information about the area.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Open 8:00am - 5:00pm (Oct - May)
Open 7:00am - 8:00pm (June - Sept)

Admission $3.00 (all ages)

Four Corners Park Manager
PO Box 2520
Window Rock, AZ 86515
928.871.6647

Four Corners