United States Arizona Desert

Painted Desert

A vast region in Arizona known for its brilliant and varied colors, including reds, oranges, and purples, seen in layered rock formations.

Tips from the community

Akin to stepping into a painting, the 93,000-acre Painted Desert in Northern Arizona is filled with a rainbow of rocks that range from gray to pink. The Navajo Nation calls much of this desert home with portions stretching from Grand Canyon National Park to Petrified Forest National Park.

laurenmack 2 years ago

The only type of camping allowed in the park is backpacking; there is no front country camping, RV, or car camping in the park. Hike at least a mile in to the Painted Desert, out of sight of any roads or trails, and find a beautiful remote spot to camp. Watch out for the fragile vegetation and be sure to minimize your impact while traveling off the trail.

nicolejordan 2 years ago

Painted Desert Guides

Painted Desert Articles

  • The Most Unique Travel Destinations Around the World

    From rainbow lakes and trees to glowing waters around the world, our planet is filled with so many unique and wacky wonders. When an overcrowded museum or park simply won’t do, add a unique travel destination to your itinerary. Here are a few of our favorite weird, wacky, and wonderfully unique travel destinations around the […]

    Read more...

  • Petrified Forest National Park: The Complete Guide for 2022

    If you’ve ever wanted to travel to the moon but don’t have the time, head to Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park: well-known for its cratered landscapes, colorful eroding badlands, and vibrant petrified logs. With access to the scenic Petrified Forest Road, visitors can easily hop out to enjoy stunning overlooks, family-friendly trails, visitor centers, and […]

    Read more...