National Parks Near the Four Corners Area

The Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness Study Area is located in northwestern New Mexico and is a badland area of rolling water-carved clay hills. The area is rich in fossils and spectacular geological formations making it perfect for hiking and landscape photography! 

Angel Peak Scenic Area offers more than 10,000 acres of rugged terrain and is recognized for its scenic and scientific wonders. The nearly 7,000-foot "Angel Peak" is visible for miles in any direction and is surrounded by the Kutz Canyon badlands.

Aztec Ruins National Monument provides visitors an intimate opportunity to explore ancient ruins built by the ancient Ancestral Puebloans in the 1100s. Aztec Ruins features ceremonial, public, and storage structures as well as the "Great Kiva" the oldest and largest reconstructed Kiva in North America.

Roughly 60 square miles of remote badlands, offering some of the most unusual scenery in the world.  National Geographic Traveler listed the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, also known as the Bisti Badlands, one of their must visit adventure destinations for 2019! This is a bucket list vacation for every venturesome hiker, explorer and photographer.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, also known as Chaco Canyon, is the largest excavated prehistoric ruins in North America and is a must see for history buffs and outdoor lovers! Chaco was the center of the ancestral Puebloan culture from AD 850 to 1200.  Attractions within the park include Chacoan great houses, kivas, rock art and stunning vistas. The hallmark Chacoan roads and geometric layout of structures captivates visitors from around the world. 

Dinétah is the traditional homeland of the Navajo people. The region is full of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) and Navajo rock art and small Navajo ruins called pueblitos, which is Spanish for “little pueblos.” There is also evidence left by the Ute tribes and early Spanish explorers and settlers. While not a National Park, these sites are of great interest to those interested in visiting Aztec Ruins National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park.

The Four Corners Monument, also known as Four Corners Tribal Park, is the only point within the United States where four states intersect at one point.  You can stand in one spot with a hand or foot in each state: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.  This special geographical location is noted with a beautiful monument perfect for that one of a kind photo stop. Four Corners Monument is not a National Park or Monument. The park is designated as a Tribal Park.

Hovenweep National Monument features the ruins of six Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) communities.  The ruins are spread throughout a valley that crosses the Utah and Colorado border. Short trails take you to the six communities.  A stop at the Visitors Center is a must.

Mesa Verde National Park is an archaeological preserve famous for its concentration of cliff dwellings.

Visit Salmon Ruins and you will discover a cultural museum, Heritage Park, Journey Into the Past Tours and the San Juan County Archaeological Research Center & Library. This hidden gem is a must see for every history buff, archeology nut and cultural adventure seeker. So, whether you are looking to expand your knowledge of the Ancestral Puebloans, want to walk in the footsteps of an ancient culture or are simply looking for something to do for an afternoon, Salmon Ruins is one Four Corners attraction that you should not miss. 

The wildlife, scenery and a Navajo Pueblito found amidst this 3,900 acres of diverse canyon landscape make this a great area for day hikes.