The Petrified Forest is known for its fossils, but the sediments (Chinle Formation) that encase the petrified wood are also just as beautiful! The northern part of the national park really focuses on the badlands. I unfortunately didn't have time to do the trail here, but there are many pullouts and viewpoints along the road so you do get a taste of the beauty right from the road. If you're a more experienced hiker, you can backpack this area after getting a permit. There are ancestral Pueblo structures and petrogylphs here in addition to the petrified wood. This is definitely worth a stop! read more

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The Painted Desert is a badlands area in the northern part of Petrified Forest National Park. I love this beautiful part of the park. This colorful Chinle Formation consists of a variety of sedimentary rocks on cliffs, hills, mesas and buttes. Its pretty colors is why it is called the Painted Desert. The Painted Desert stretches all the way to the east end of Grand Canyon National Park. There are some overlooks off the main road that allow you to see an overview of the area. There are also some hiking trails. The map at the overlook gives you information on far away many of points of interest are. Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is nearby and has a lot of history to it. The original building from the early 1920's was made of petrified wood. Today it is a museum that showcases the history of the building, historic Route 66 that once passed through here and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Painted Desert Visitor Center is also nearby with park rangers on hand for information. read more

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Painted Desert is the highlight of Petrified National Park besides the most famous Blue Mesa. There's couple viewpoints you can stop the car and get out take photos...but in order to get the full experience of the Painted Desert, you have to walk the 1.2 mile round trip Painted Desert Rim Trail! It's easy, short, with 49 ft elevation gain. The trail is out and back and ends at Painted Desert Inn (From Tawa Point to Kachina Points). Painted Desert Inn was closed due to covid otherwise from peak through the window there's few exhibitions. The outside restroom was still open to public (and with heater inside!) The Painted Desert was so beautiful the day I went when it's dusted with snow. The trail could be muddy and icy at some point but did not find its dangerous:P The rich colors and the rock formation all will take your breath away. - Dog is allowed on the trail with a leash. read more

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Ok we were staying in Flagstaff for 4 nights and had planned hikes in sedona and day trip to grand canyon but weather changed the plan. It got bitter cold and 50 mile an hour winds. So being outside was miserable. So we came here and mainly stayed in the car. We had been to another petrified forest that was very underwhelming, so i didnt have high hopes. The petrified forest and painted desert are together and nade for some nice scenery. I wish it was more comfortable to walk around but if it had been we would have missed out on this altogether. My husband is a veteran so he showed the card and they gave him national parks pass. I love that they honor veterans in this way. We also stopped to see a meteor crater. read more

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I have to admit I feel bad leaving a 2 star review on an attraction that currently has a 5 star rating. I understand that my experience differs from most reviewers but I still feel it is important to share. First of all, I believe in supporting out national parks and we often take our dog to them and hike. However, the $25 fee here is on the high end for national parks and I think there are a few things people should consider before coming here. Price is one, but most important I think is the weather. We were passing through the area on a cloudy and overcast day. To me, the view in the park was nothing we hadn't seen on the highway. Its a lot of open hills and sky. Even though we spent hours in the park, waiting for breaks in the clouds, when the sun did hit, the views just weren't that spectacular. The wind was so strong we couldn't even open the window without getting dust in our eyes and getting in and out of the car was almost impossible. Winds were something like 60mph and I have read other (positive) reviews that mention the same so I know that was not unique to us. We came in late April so it's not as if it was winter or something. Just be prepared for the wind. My husband had been before and was very excited to come back so I feel terrible that our experience together was so negative. I just found this a boring, lackluster sightseeing experience and even fell asleep while he was waiting for the sun to hit some mountains... I understand I am in the minority here and it's possible we just had bad luck but I was super disappointed in the experience. read more

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Overwhelmingly beautiful location. I'd decided to stop only reluctantly as I wanted to press on to Albuquerque, but I'm glad I did. The painted desert has sweeping vistas, crazy badlands, and rolling hills of absolutely unbelievable colors. It is a beautiful, beautiful place, and I felt so lucky to be a part of the entire thing. I ended up sitting on a rock ledge and smiling so hard my cheeks ached, just thinking about my entire trip and all that I was going through at that moment...well worth it. read more

Painted Desert - Parks Near Me - Petrified Forest, Arizona

I highly recommend going through the Painted Desert/ Petrified Forest. Nice roads compared to I-40. We stopped at every lookout and hiked two trails. read more

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One of the most beautiful sunsets of watching the colors change hour by hour over the hilly desert. I ain't a romantic by any stretch of your imagination, but this is the real fkn deal. Getcha some painted desert in your life, yo. read more

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cute little place; the place lights up pretty gorgeously during the latter half of the day. Its not so far from the coal mine canyon and would be a wonderful day trip to cover these two gems in AZ (near Williams/Flagstaff AZ) read more

Painted Desert - Parks Near Me - Petrified Forest, Arizona

cute little place; the place lights up pretty gorgeously during the latter half of the day. Its not so far from the coal mine canyon and would be a wonderful day trip to cover these two gems in AZ (near Williams/Flagstaff AZ) read more

So beautiful. I was in awe of how very beautiful it was. I actually feel it is even prettier then the Grand Canyon. The colors were gorgeous and breath taking. My teens even enjoyed our time here and there were younger kids there as well who didn't seem bored or disinterested. I was proud to be an American for those few hours I was able to observe our countries natural beauty. There are lovely blues, violets, reds, white and even pinks here to see. Hills and valleys, trails and petrified trees. What an amazing vacation spot. Low cost, beautiful scenery, a great family vacation spot. read more

An artist's dream. A fanciful delight on the eyes of nature's palate of colors as the sun beats onto the hot, hot stone. Just be respectful and don't take any pictures of the Navajo unless you have expressed permission to do so. I didn't take pictures of anybody. When you go south towards Flagstaff, you will pass the highest peak in AZ, so continue the journey and be rewarded. read more

Better than the Grand Canyon for me. Overwhelming and breathtaking scenery. So untouched and native. It was the best drive from Williams I could've ever chosen. read more