The history of the Four Corners incorporates the rich cultures and traditions of Native Americans and the recent history of Spanish and American immigration to the southwest. The Four Corners of the United States, (the only place four states touch at one corner), incorporates the northwest corner of New Mexico and is part of the area known as "Indian Country".
Near to Farmington are the Parks of the Grand Canyon, Canyon lands, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde, Aztec and Salmon Ruins. These National Parks offer a stupendous array of geological formations and Ancient Native American Ruins. You will recognize the names and scenery of these parks from the mystery novels of Tony Hillerman and many Hollywood films. Also on the list of geological wonders to visit are Shiprock (featured in the film Pontiac Moon with Ted Danson) and the Bisti Badlands wilderness, which has been a major site of dinosaur fossil excavations. Most of the above sites are close enough to Farmington for one day excursions from our B&B, or they permit the next easy day's drive in a regional tour.
With
a base in Farmington, one may:
Visit:
Chaco
Canyon, Mesa Verde, Aztec and Salmon Ruins, Bisti Badlands & many trading
posts.
Itinerary: Sites to visit and other possible adventurous activities in and around the Four Corners and Farmington, New Mexico all while visiting the Silver River Adobe Bed and Breakfast, Farmingtons' First B&B.
| ANASAZI SITES: |
| CHACO CANYON-CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK |
| Hwy 44 turn off between Bloomfield and Cuba. One and a half hour drive from Farmington. Chaco was the center of the Pueblo Indian Culture for over a century with people inhabiting the area from 800 to 1500 years ago. By AD 1000 Chaco was firmly established as the political and economic center of the Chaco Plateau. Open seven days a week. The campground is open 24 hrs. Self guided tours take about one hour through several of the ruin complexes but you could spend a week exploring the many hiking trails to some ruins. 505-786-7014 |
| AZTEC RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT AND MUSEUM |
| Only 14 minutes from Farmington on Hwy 550. A self guided tour through the pueblo is available. These ruins make a marvelous complement to a visit to Chaco or the best first choice if you are not able to visit Chaco. Open seven days a week. 505-334-6174. |
| CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT |
| Three hours from Farmington in Chinle, AZ. Hwy 550 to Shiprock-Hwy 506 to Teec Nos Pos, Hwy 160 to Mexican Water, Hwy 191 to Chinle. 520-674-5500 A must, if you can make it, these canyons sheltered prehistoric Pueblo Indians for 1,000 years and served as an ancestral stronghold for the Navajo Indians. Visitors Center (you can center your stay in Farmington with us) but campgrounds are nearby and there are a variety of hotels but the oldest is Thunderbird Lodge, 520-674-5841. |
| MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK |
| One and a half hours drive from Farmington on Hwy 170 (La Plata Hwy) to Hesperus turn right on Hwy 666. Famous for its cliff dwellings of the industrious, creative people who inhabited Mesa Verde for more than 700 years, developing from a basic hunter/gather society into a culture known for its agriculture, art and architecture. 1-800-449-2288 |
| SALMON RUINS AND SAN JUAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER |
| Twelve miles on Hwy 64 from Farmington toward Bloomfield. One of the two largest colonies founded by the Chacoans in the 11th century. Museum contains artifacts from the site. 505-632-2031 |
| CROW CANYON ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER |
| In Cortez, Co., one and a half hours drive on Hwy 170 to Hesperus then right on Hwy 666. Initiates and conducts public archaeological research and education programs in the American Southwest and beyond. 23390 road K, Cortez, CO. 1-800-422-8975 |
| OTHER PLACES OR EVENTS TO VISIT: |
| FARMINGTON GATEWAY MUSEUM |
| In Farmington at 3041 East Main Street. New museum featuring a variety of exhibits and historical Farmington. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm & Sunday, noon to 5pm. 505-599-1174. |
| PINON HILLS GOLF COURSE |
| Only 8 miles from the B&B, 2101 Sunrise Parkway. Noted with high marks in Golf Digest ( one of 8 five star courses in the U.S.). 505-326-6066. |
| BOLACK GAME RESERVE AND WILDLIFE MUSEUM |
| Hwy 64 on the east end of Farmington. Appointment.505-325-4275 |
| BLACK RIVER TRADERS |
| Summer Theater in Lions Wilderness Amphitheater -late June to mid August. 505-326-7602 |
| NAVAJO LAKE AND MARINA |
| Hwy 511, north of Bloomfield 45 minutes. Man made lake with 190 covered slips. Fishing in the Quality waters |
| LANDSCAPES/GEOLOGICAL: |
| SHIPROCK PINNACLE |
| Half an hour drive on Hwy 550/64 to Shiprock. Composed of igneous rock flanked by long upright walls of solidified lava, the rock is sacred to the Navajo who call it "Tse" Bit'ai'". Climbing is not permitted. |
| BISTI BADLANDS |
| On Hwy 371 south of Farmington about 37 miles. A Federally protected area of petrified logs and other plant fossils that are scattered among numerous scenic and colorful land forms. The best land formations are about 2 miles hiking distance from the parking area. |
| MONUMENT VALLEY TRIBAL PARK |
| Hwy
550/64 west to Shiprock, Hwy 506 to Teec Nos Pos, Hwy 106 to Kayenta, north on Hwy 163. Two and a half hours. Enchanting earthscape displaying mesas, buttes and fragile pinnacles in southeast Utah and northwest Arizona. Visitor Center, camping, lodging, self guided tours, vehicle tours and horseback tours available. 801-727-3353 |
| FOUR CORNERS NATIONAL MONUMENT |
| Hwy 550/64 to Shiprock, then Hwy 160 west. One hour drive. The only point in the U.S. where four states meet. Features an Indian marketplace with hand worked arts and crafts. Costs $2.50 per person |
| ANGEL PEAK RECREATION AREA |
| Hwy 64 to Bloomfield, then Hwy 44 south. One hour from Farmington. Geological formations and canyons to explore. Campgrounds, picnic areas and rest rooms available. |
Authors who have visited:
"Song of Shiprock Fair" by Luci Tapahonso, illustrated by Anthony Chee Emerson
" Gardens of Santa Fe" by Anne Hillerman, photographs by Don Strel
"Tony Hillerman's Landscape" by Anne Hillerman, photographs by Don Strel
"...And she made Quitls; The Women of San Juan County, New Mexico, Their Stories and Quilts 1890-1950" by Connie Nordstrom
"My Kingdom was a County: San Juan County" by Eleanor MacDonald and John Arrington
"I remember Old MacDonald's Farmington" by Eleanor MacDonald
stories from and about other places
"Singular Intimacies" by Danielle Ofri
"Gubber Joe" and "Rain Dancin" by Bob Whetstone
"Coin Street Chronicles: London's Vanished Old South Bank" by Gwen Southgate
Golf:
Pinon Hills Golf Course (designated as one of the top eight municipal
golf courses in the US) *** specials to include reserved Tee times and
golf cart ***
Fish:
The Quality Waters below Navajo Dam
Birds:
More than 200 species documented along the rivers
Hike:
High
desert canyons and Rocky Mountains, Guided
Llama Pack Trips
Summer
Theater:
Anasazi Pageant
Festivals:
| APRIL | |
| Badlands Battle Mountain Bike Race. Begun in 1994. Challenges bikers to test their abilities on a fun and technical single track located at Pinon Mesa.1-800-448-1240 | |
| MAY | |
| 1st weekend - Shiprock Marathon and relay races on the Navajo Reservation. Certified and sanctioned by the Athletic Congress 800-448-1240 | Memorial day weekend Annual Balloon Festival launch off the banks at Farmington Lake. The famous Splash'n' Dash and Hare'n' Hound races both days. Launch at 6am. |
| Memorial day weekend -Riverfest along the river corridor, with splendid music, food, arts and crafts, raft rides and a 5K and 10K run on Saturday morning. Animas Park off Browning Parkway. | |
| JUNE | |
| Through mid-August Outdoor Summer Theater. Summer productions are performed in a natural sandstone amphitheater at Lion's Wilderness Park with an optional Southwestern dinner served prior to each Wed-Sat performance. | |
| JULY | |
| Mesa Verde Indian Arts and Crafts Show and sale. Indian dances, Native American arts, and food at Mesa Verde National Park. Moorefield Campground. Native Americans from 23 tribes across the country participate. | 4th: Freedom Days. The Fourth of July is celebrated with a variety of special events including spectacular fireworks, auction, parade, and triathlon. |
| AUGUST | |
| 1st or 2nd week -Connie Mack World Series. Some of the best amateur baseball in the country is featured each summer at Rickett's Park in farmington. Teams from the US and Puerto rico play in from of the pro-scouts and college officials. | |
| SEPTEMBER | |
| Labor day weekend -Totah Festival. Native American Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Show and Marketplace, highlighted with an Indian rug auction. Native American drumming, singing and dancing. | Four Corners Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally. Events for motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages at Ignacio, CO. |
| OCTOBER | |
| 1st weekend -Shiprock fair. Begun in 1923 this annual Northern Navajo Nation celebration includes a parade, fair, rodeo, arts and crafts, pow-wow and traditional song and dance. Fair grounds in Shiprock. | 1st weekend -Road Apple Rally annual mountain bike race and tour offers pro/experts, veterans and beginners a test of skill on a 30 mile single and double loop course through canyons and arroyos near San Juan College. The Road Apple Rally Junior gets kids and new riders in on the excitement. |
| DECEMBER | |
| 1st weekend- San Juan College Display illuminates the campus with 50,000 candlelit bags. This is the largest luminaria display of a non-profit entity in New Mexico. | 1st Friday night- River Glo at Berg Park, luminaria display, cocoa and apple cider, music and bonfires make a winter evening walk along the river a bright and warm event. |
Address:
3151 West Main St. Farmington, NM 87401
Please
direct all US Mail to:
P.O. Box 3411
Farmington, NM 87499
Telephone:
(505) 325-8219
Toll Free: (800) 382-9251
