Stop by the Mesa Verde Country Colorado Welcome Center, whose Certified Travel Counselors offer suggestions on making your road trip a memory to cherish. There is never a fee for their services, so what are you waiting for?

Planning Your Trip

You can also give your Four Corners road trip a boost and make your travel days count with our Four Corners Trip Planner. You will find different experiences suggested throughout the year, but with good planning you will find that each season has its own charm.

Early Fall

Enjoy the changing colors and mild weather, ideal for a road trip. After summer’s heat and before winter’s chill, a fall visit hits the sweet spot of travel.

Spring 

Experience the region’s rebirth, blooming wildflowers, wildlife viewing, and a great time to visit Mesa Verde National Park.

Summer

Take advantage of warm weather and long days for outdoor activities, but be prepared for crowds at the most popular locations and know how to take precautions for intense summer heat.

Winter

A great time for stargazing and exploring the region, but be aware that some attractions may be closed.

Exploring the Four Corners Region: Where to Start

Four Corners National Monument

Visit the Four Corners National Monument, where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado meet. Part of the Navajo Tribal Parks, Four Corners Monument is the only place in the nation where you can stand in four states of the American Southwest at the same time — a road trip highlight! Learn more about the history and cultural significance of the monument at the visitor center.

The Trail of the Ancients is a series of National Scenic Byways in the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States.

Archaeological Sites

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Explore ancient cliff dwellings and mesa-top sites of Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 4,700 archaeological sites, you are sure to get a sense of ancient lives and cultures when you visit.

Looking to do some stargazing? The high desert vistas, thin air, and dark expanses  make the region an ideal location for stargazing. In 2021, Mesa Verde, located about 70 miles from Farmington and about 40 miles from Durango, became the 100th Dark Sky Park in the U.S.

For magnificent cliff dwellings, be sure to see Cliff Palace, a 150-room cliff dwelling over 700 years old. You could take a guided tour (recommended) or see it on your own from the Cliff Palace Loop Road Overlook.

Hovenweep National Monument

Hovenweep is an archaeological site more than 11 centuries old. The Puebloans who lived there planted the Three Sisters crops of corn, beans, and squash to sustain themselves. At one point in the late 13th century, over 2,500 people lived at the site. They built stone architecture for their families and terraces for crop cultivation.

With a visitor center and campground, you can spend time at Hovenweep hiking trails both challenging and moderate, some unpaved trails and some paved. Be sure to check out the Square Tower Loop Trail, a self-guided trail near the visitor center that takes you past both ancient structures and sweeping vistas on its two-mile path.

Visit Hovenweep Castle, in the Square Tower group, a unique ancestral Puebloan structure that is a key feature for the history buff. Note that some of the more isolated ruins at Hovenweep require a high-clearance vehicle to visit. Check with a park ranger for details.

Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico

Explore Aztec Ruins National Monument, featuring ancient ruins built by the Ancestral Puebloan people. These 10th-century structures are sacred spaces to today’s Indigenous people, and the monument designation itself has been in place for more than 100 years.

Take a self-guided tour of the ruins and see the ancient architecture preserved at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Artifacts from daily life, including Ancestral Puebloan pottery, suggest a productive culture that thrived long before our own story began.

Stop by the visitor center and learn about the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans, who lived near the banks of the Animas River.

Scenic Drives and Natural Wonders

Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona

Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Nation and sits astride the Arizona-Utah border. With nearly 100,00 acres, the views from the 17-mile loop road in the Navajo Tribal Park may look familiar. These vistas have been used as backdrops in classic western films for decades. You might spy John Wayne or other mythic western heroes in your mind’s eye as you scan the vistas.

Learn about the history and cultural significance of the valley at the visitor center. Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit. The Diné people still live there, in this vast land first shaped by wind and water more than 600 million years ago.

Valley of the Gods, Utah

Explore the Valley of the Gods, an unpaved scenic drive through a rugged and beautiful landscape in southeastern Utah. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this sandstone valley is part of Bears Ears National Monument. Feel free to take a peek at the Lady in the Bathtub (it’s OK, she’s a rock) as well as Battleship Rock and other creatively named rock formations.

Cultural and Historical Sites

Sleeping Ute Mountain, Colorado

Sometimes called Ute Peak, Sleeping Ute Mountain is located in southwestern Colorado and is part of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation. This igneous mountain rises almost 10,000 feet and is about 72 million years old. Even if you do not visit directly, Sleeping Ute Mountain can be seen from as far away as 50 miles.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado

Explore the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, featuring the highest known density of Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites. Just outside of Cortez, CO., this national monument protects more than 174,000 acres of Native American culture, geology, and history.

Learn about the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center, which gives context and life to the community that lived here over 900 years ago.

Towns of Interest

Durango, Colorado

Home of Fort Lewis College, Durango offers outdoor fun and historic small town vibes to visitors of all ages. Visit the historic town of Durango, with a charming downtown area and scenic train rides.

Part of the Colorado Plateau, Durango offers picturesque trails for hiking, running, and camping. Take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a historic train that passes through the San Juan Mountains, or shop galleries and boutiques on Main Avenue.

Cortez, Colorado

Visit the town of Cortez, featuring a charming downtown area and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Cortez is a convenient place to stay if you’re visiting Mesa Verde National Park.

From Cortez, take a scenic drive through the San Juan Mountains and enjoy the stunning views.

Start Planning Your Seven-Day Four Corners Road Trip Today

Plan your trip to the Four Corners region during the spring or fall for comfortable weather and smaller crowds. Take a scenic drive through the Valley of the Gods or Monument Valley and explore the many archaeological sites in the region.

Learn about the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans, Navajo, and Ute people at the many museums and cultural centers in the region.

Ready for that road trip? Mesa Verde Country in Southwest Colorado is the authority of how to plan, where to eat, and what to see in the Four Corners. Most importantly, they honor Native culture and responsible tourism in a way that respects both the visitor and the visited.

Stop by their Colorado Welcome Center, whose Certified Travel Counselors will help make your road trip happen. There is never a fee for their services, so what are you waiting for?

FAQs: Four Corners Road Trip – Trail of the Ancients

What is the Trail of the Ancients in the Four Corners region?

The Trail of the Ancients is a designated route that connects major archaeological and cultural sites across New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. It showcases ancient Puebloan ruins, cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and museums.

This trail highlights the heritage of civilizations over 1,000 years old, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park. Travelers can explore ceremonial centers, ancient villages, and interpretive programs that explain Puebloan society, architecture, and history. The route provides both educational value and scenic landscapes, making it accessible for families, solo travelers, and cultural enthusiasts. Key towns along the route include Farmington, Aztec, Cortez, and Durango, each offering accommodations, dining, and local history exhibits.

How long does it take to complete the seven-day road trip?

The recommended itinerary spans seven days, covering roughly 700–800 miles with daily drives averaging 2–4 hours.

Each day balances travel time with exploration of major sites, museums, and towns. For example, visitors might spend a morning at Chaco Canyon, an afternoon in Aztec Ruins, and evening in Farmington. Travelers can shorten or extend segments based on interests or mobility. Seasonal conditions, such as snow at higher elevations or summer heat, may influence timing. This structured approach ensures a thorough, manageable experience that emphasizes both cultural engagement and scenic enjoyment.

What are the must-see sites along this route?

Key attractions include Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, and Canyons of the Ancients.

Chaco Culture offers monumental Puebloan ruins with ceremonial significance. Mesa Verde features cliff dwellings with interpretive trails. Aztec Ruins provides well-preserved structures and museum exhibits. Hovenweep spans the Utah-Colorado border with towered settlements and short hiking trails. Canyons of the Ancients offers extensive archaeological sites with accessible interpretive signage. Combined, these sites represent centuries of Puebloan architecture, culture, and art, providing diverse opportunities for photography, hiking, and hands-on learning. Timed entry or guided tours may be required at some locations.

When is the best time to take this road trip?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and safer hiking conditions.

Summer temperatures can exceed 90°F in low-elevation deserts, making midday exploration uncomfortable. Winter brings snow and restricted access to higher elevations, especially Mesa Verde. Seasonal weather can affect road conditions and trail safety. Checking National Park Service alerts before travel ensures accurate, up-to-date information. Spring and fall provide optimal daylight, comfortable temperatures, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, making them ideal for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and outdoor recreation.

How much does it cost to visit these attractions?

Entrance fees vary: Chaco Culture ($25/vehicle), Mesa Verde ($30/vehicle), Aztec Ruins (free), Hovenweep ($20/vehicle), valid for 7 days (2026).

Visitors can reduce costs with the America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year), which covers multiple National Park Service sites. Additional expenses include lodging, meals, and optional guided tours. Some parks may require timed-entry reservations, especially during peak seasons. Planning budgets in advance ensures access to sites, accommodations, and educational programs. Passes and tickets can typically be purchased online, minimizing wait times and improving trip efficiency.