Painted Desert
Painted Desert
4.5
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This desert is famous for its striking bands of colors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Lisa_in_TNNashville, Tennessee106 contributionsLots of unique beauty in a small national parkWhile the park is not a large one, it is definitely worth a visit. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can still see a lot of beautiful scenery right from the road side. Combine it with the Petrified Forest Park and you can still cover both and a half day. Allow more time if you plan to hike or visit all of the pull offs. We did not have a lot of time, so I would gladly visit this park again!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 November 2023
- Lindsay-and-NeilSheffield, United Kingdom1,190 contributionsRain made for a subdued visit!We visited the Painted Desert area of Petrified Foest NP a few weeks ago and although it is a beautiful place our visit was slightly marred by the bad weather! Lots of rain and wind curtailed our visit. I sunshine the vistas would have been stunning, sadly with grey rain filled skies they didn't sparkle as much. It's a shame but we still made the best of our visit.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 December 2023
- Brian C13 contributionsFrom MO, first visit.Don't miss and allow 4 to 5 hours to soak it up. Do the hiking trails if able. Wear lightweight long pants, long sleeves, closed toe shoes, and head / neck / face protection cause the sun will get ya. It was warm 87-90F the day we went but steady strong breeze kept it very tolerable. Also WATER, take along lots of water and carry 10-12 ounces for each person when taking hikes. Between two of us we drank # 10 ounces bottles. Camera and binoculars worth toting along.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 May 2024
- Tony PBuffalo, New York186 contributionsA wonderful way to begin ...Painted desert was the 1st stop on a tour of multiple national parks. The staff in the visitors center was friendly and helpful. Souvenirs, informational sessions and other resources are readily available. The map provided was easy to read and gave a number of options for taking in the breathtaking scenery. The park provides the ability to customize your experience. Length of visit, physical exertion and points of interest are all very customizable based on your wants and abilities. The landscape, colors and informative plaques made this a memorable stop. Be prepared for beautiful views, some very windy conditions in spots and an experience that is unforgettable.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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RetiredBeachers29526
Conway, SC564 contributions
May 2022
While doing our road trip around the USA, we visited the Painted Desert. What an incredible place with magnificent scenery. When we visited we were able to stop at each of the pull-offs to get better views of everything. We were very lucky that at the time of the year when we made our visit, there were only a small number of visitors, hence it made for the most pleasurable visit. We highly recommend to all who are in the area, make a visit to the Painted Desert, you'll be very glad you did.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
United States63 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
We had a late arrival into Flagstaff and weren't sure we would make it in time before the park closed. Btw, the hours are 8a-5p. But you don't have to be out of the park until about 6p.
There is a lot to explore so for the 1 1/2 hours we were there we had to rush from sight to sight. I hope you take more time to enjoy this park than we did.
The varying colors and scenes were breathtaking.
I do suggest taking cold water and possibly snacks with you. There is a gift shop but you know that pricing and you definitely want a souvenir so save your money for that.
Tip: Purchasing an Annual National Parks pass pays for itself in no time.
This is definitely a Park I'd like to go back to when I have more time to spend there.
There is a lot to explore so for the 1 1/2 hours we were there we had to rush from sight to sight. I hope you take more time to enjoy this park than we did.
The varying colors and scenes were breathtaking.
I do suggest taking cold water and possibly snacks with you. There is a gift shop but you know that pricing and you definitely want a souvenir so save your money for that.
Tip: Purchasing an Annual National Parks pass pays for itself in no time.
This is definitely a Park I'd like to go back to when I have more time to spend there.
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ivette N
Port Saint Lucie, FL195 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
The Painted Desert, what an amazing place. Located within the Petrified Forest National Park. When you first see it, you are just amazed at the beauty that sits in the middle of this park. It is a desert that dates back millions of years and the fact that only a small portion of the Painted Desert can be seen is still amazing; the natural colors and the many shapes give it its beauty. Although, the Painted Desert is just a small part of the park it still is worth stopping to view it and every picture taken is perfect.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen C
Troy, NY2,518 contributions
Apr 2021
When I though of going to Petrified Forest I though we when see dead mineralized trees ~ and yes they are there (at the south end) BUT wow wow wow there is soo much more the Painted Desert was Beautiful and the Blue Mesa with the stripes in the mountains was gorgeous.
Other worth while spots in the park is Newspaper rock, Agate Bridge & the Tepees.
These areas all have pull off spots. We hiked the Crystal forest ~ this trail is the best way to see up close the actual petrified logs and there is plenty to see in this just under a mile loop.
Total we spent 2 hrs. at this park including walking 2 small trails and doing multiple stops on the side of the road. And they are counting how many people are coming in and out of the visitor centers and there is lines to get into both of them.
Other worth while spots in the park is Newspaper rock, Agate Bridge & the Tepees.
These areas all have pull off spots. We hiked the Crystal forest ~ this trail is the best way to see up close the actual petrified logs and there is plenty to see in this just under a mile loop.
Total we spent 2 hrs. at this park including walking 2 small trails and doing multiple stops on the side of the road. And they are counting how many people are coming in and out of the visitor centers and there is lines to get into both of them.
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ivette N
Port Saint Lucie, FL38 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
I had no idea a place like this existed. Someone at work show me pictures but down played the beauty so, I decided to check it out for myself. The Painted Desert is apart of the Petrified Forest National Park. And it spans for miles. Enter through the visitors center entrance and on your first stop get ready to be amazed. The beauty of this park is never ending from the Painted Desert to the Blue Mesa you will not be disappointed. Although, the park rangers say the drive is about 2hrs but, I personally spent 7hrs there only cause I did not want to miss anything and I just could not get enough of the beauty that every photo I took was always the best one. From the Painted Desert to the Tepe Rocks to the Crystal Forest all beautiful! My plan is to return very soon to do it all again. This trip was great only cause the desert temperature was perfect 81 degrees and it made the drive pleasant. Make sure to take water with you (cause it is a desert) and always stay on the paths for safety. All stops have a small hike to enjoy the beauty of this park up close. Enjoy, your visit to the park.
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fungramma51
CA212 contributions
Feb 2023
Well worth the drive to see. If you go in the North entrance, be sure to stop at the Visitor Center before paying to go in to the park as you can’t get back to it without exiting the park. We didn’t do that so I can’t comment on the visitor center. The park road is about 28 miles to the south entrance. You can either exit the park there or turn around and drive the road back to the north entrance. (of course you can do it south to north if you prefer). The north entrance is right of I-40. The south entrance is about 20 miles south of Holbrook. There are numerous pullouts for views along the way. The Painted Desert Inn museum was nice. There were some beautiful features inside and you could peek in the windows of some of the old guest rooms. There wasn’t much at the Puerco Pueblo ruins but there were quite a number of petroglyphs in the area. At the Newspaper Rock petroglyph pull off it was hard to see them as they are down a hill. They did have telescopes to look through however. The Blue Mesa Loop drive is worth taking. There is a trail there as well which we didn’t take as it was raining. There are other pullouts/trails that take you close to the petrified wood. There is also a visitor center at the south end.
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanda J
Marietta, GA160 contributions
June 2019
I really didn't know what to expect when we arrived, but i can tell you it was really awe inspiring. Oh my at the color... it truly was like a painting (guess that's where it got the name LOL) Nature really knows what she is doing. Worth the stop and drive through...because on the Petrified forest is on the other side! Also worth seeing.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D Baker
1 contribution
May 2021
Drove 5 hours round trip only to find the country’s ugliest national park. The petrified wood is interesting and the landscape is scenic in its own so ugly it’s interesting way. The visitor center was a lot about dinosaurs and not much about the park. Overall the only high point is I can say I’ve been there. Other than that it was a waste of gas and time. My wife and I both looked at each other and said, “How did this make it as a national park”? My guess is it is covering some natural resources that the government wanted to protect (other than petrified wood). The good reviews here just baffle me. I’ve been to a lot of national parks and this one is at the very bottom of the list.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2doglady
Tennessee996 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We spent about 2 hours here driving through Petrified Forest National Park and stopping at the overlooks and walking a few trails. This was a very enjoyable visit and we were so glad we chose to stop here on our Southwest trip. They are doing some work on the Visitor Center and have signs directing you where to go. There are several gift shops in the park area and a small eatery at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at the north entrance. There is also a gas station here. It was all very enjoyable so I am writing just one review for the park as a whole. Highly recommend a visit here just to see things you cannot see many other places.
Written 13 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck2010
Palmyra, PA2,563 contributions
Feb 2020
We entered the park off I-40 beyond Holbrook, AZ ... The park road just beyond Blue Mesa is closed due to construction. You can see the first 16 miles before needing to turn around and head back. Seeing the park from north to south gives you the painted desert viewpoints, the historic painted desert inn, route 66 site, pueblo dwellings, newspaper rock, blue mesa, and petrified logs ... nice variety and all great to see!
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DayTrip564449
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Traveling tomorrow January 5; is the park closed at six now.? Also we are staying in Winslow what is out there for us to see before the afternoon? Thanks to any one who can help.
Written 6 January 2021
Sorry I cannot help. Check on the National Parks site.
Written 6 January 2021
With a government shut down looming, will we be able to see much if we can’t get into the national park?
Written 25 December 2020
A lot was closed when we were there but we could still drive thru. Surprisingly gift shop was open but no video at VC and toilets were outside. It’s pretty self explanatory just drive the route and stop at turn outs lots of info signs. We happened on a volunteer guide at one overlook who was very helpful
Written 26 December 2020
I would like to stay after what seems like Park Closing which is posted as 6 PM. If Sunset is not until 7:30 PM, how do I get to enjoy a beautiful place as the sun sets?
Written 11 August 2018
Unfortunately, you will not be able to remain in the park after closing. If you are overnighting at a hotel or motel somewhere in the area, you can watch the sunset over the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest from along Route 77 between Indian Wells, AZ and Route 66/I-40 or along Route 66/I-40 which runs above a section of the park. You'll need to find a rest area or a scenic overlook, though, because I-40 is an interstate highway. Route 77 runs along the desert just outside of the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert parks.
Written 11 August 2018
oak66632018
Medina, Ohio
I wanted to take a trip to New Mexico. How close is this to Santa Fe
Really don't have to stay in New Mexico, we line hiking biking and seeing the natural beauty of the US
We have recently taken our family to Aspen and Jackson hole. Looking for a different type of scenery
Written 14 May 2018
I drove from Oklahoma and stayed overnight in Texas, then continued my drive to Snowflake, AZ where I spent the night in order to get up early to see the petrified forest and painted desert. Continued to El Maipais National Park (the arch and bluffs are not to be missed) and arrived in Albuquerque late afternoon. So yes, it is doable, but you may want to find a place to stay in Arizona as sunset is particularly lovely at the Painted Desert and a four and a half hour drive could be tiring after a long day. Enjoy! It’s spectacular!!
Written 30 May 2018
I see a lot of paid tours being advertised that one can take of the Painted Desert but can you enjoy the scenery by a slow drive in your own private car?
Written 9 March 2018
Absolutely!! That's how we did it. We drove through the Petrified forest then through the Painted Desert while it was close to sunset. Then we went back through as we were heading back to Phoenix during the day. Stop at all the pull-offs along the way with information that a tour guide would probably share. The scenery will take your breath away depending on the time of day you go. Drive through to the Petrified Forest as well. There is a shop on both ends of the road where you enter the Painted Desert and where you exit through Petrified Forest. You can get info from the ranger stations, I think, at these locations. Gas can be bought at the Petrified Forest location-very expensive. Enjoy!
Written 11 March 2018
I am planning to sleep in Holbrook one night (coming from monument valley) and the day after visit the petrified forest and than drive to spend an hour or so and see the sunset at GC South Rim. Which ones do you think are the best trials in the Petrified Forest? considering I will be there for 3-4 hours not more. I will be there in late december.
thank you very much
Written 26 November 2017
Petrified Desert has a few stop off areas where you can get out and hike and read interesting information about the formation of this desert. Take an hour hike then briefly stop as you drive through the desert. The views are unbelievable. Drive till you get to Painted desert which is equally beautiful. Depending what time of day you go, you will get a different perspective. Amazing terrain; don't skip this part of your journey.
Written 1 December 2017
Hi, Erica,
During the winter months it may get a bit cool. The 40's-50s; however, the air is crisp and clean. We were there in August. It was warm and even a little humid. Go to the Petrified Forest weather page and investigate. Whatever month you go, it will be a sight you will never forget. Happy Trails!
Written 17 September 2017
Can we do the scenic drives of the painted desert and the petrified forest in 5 or 6 hours? Like a day trip from Sedona?
Written 12 April 2017
Yes, that's possible. The route is only about 28 miles long, which is about a half-hour drive. But you would want to stop and get out to take photos, or go on short hikes to see things close up. And there are some short side routes off the main route.
But even accounting for stops and side routes, you can see the whole thing in 5 hours.
Written 5 June 2017
lovetoyak
West Chester, Ohio
How long does it take to drive the painted desert scenic drive?
Written 11 April 2017
That is relative
The drive is 28 miles from north to south
We took three hours because we stopped at almost every site and area... great drive with a LOT to catch your eye including the petrified forest etc.
Enjoy yourself and (if at all possible) take your time... it is worth the drive
Written 28 May 2017
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