Why you should visit one of Colorado's most "overrated" attractions

The Four Corners Monument is a popular southwest Colorado attraction, but is it actually worth visiting?

Although the Four Corners has been named one of Colorado's most overrated attractions in the past, the Four Corners region has some interesting history, as well as the largest concentration of national parks and monuments in the country.

The Four Corners Monument marks the only place in the United States where you can stand in four states at once – Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The original marker was placed in 1912, and now, a bronze disk embedded in granite identifies the spot. During a visit, you can purchase jewelry, crafts, and food made by Navajo artisans at the Demonstration Center.

Coloradans on their way to Four Corners Monument will likely pass through Durango, Mancos, Cortez, and Towaoc. According to Colorado.com, this region is rich with archaeological sites that "offer insight into the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here long ago."

Found in the region is Mesa Verde National Park, which includes mesas and cliffs where the Ancestral Pueblo people built communities, as well as the Ute Mountain Tribal Park which shows off Ute history, rock art and cliff dwellings. Local spots like Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum, and Hovenweep National Monument also provide interesting looks into ancient Colorado history.

While the Four Corners Monument is located in a rural area with no accommodations and limited services, getting there is part of the fun. Be sure to travel accordingly, with water and appropriate clothing. There is an entry fee of $8.

Although Four Corners National Monument might not be as showy or scenic as other Colorado areas, visitors can claim they've stood in four states at once, and those making the trip to the state's far southwest corner are likely to learn something about ancient Colorado history along the way.