Welcome to Travel Tuesday! Have you ever been to the Petrified Forest National Park? Come check out the Painted Desert Rim Trail with me (virtually of course) today!
Painted Desert Rim Trail in Petrified Forest National Park
Distance: 1.1 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 39 ft
Difficulty: ft
Duration: ~30 minutes
Trailhead Address: 35.08033,-109.78349
Parking: Free lot with many available spaces ($25 for admission into the park, or free with interagency pass)
This was a short and easy hike that gives you beautiful views of the painted desert in Petrified Forest National Park. It was pretty hot when we went (August), but totally doable still! We decided to do the scenic drive through the park and to take on all the little hikes along the way, so this was our very first stop!
You’ll want to start off at the Painted Desert Rim Parking area (near Tawa Point) and follow the winding trail to check out the panoramic views of the red, blue and purple-tinted badlands.
The trail itself isn’t paved, but it’s flat and pretty easy for the most part. (Some parts are a little slippery, so make sure you have shoes/boots with good traction.)
We ended our hike over at the Painted Desert Inn (misleadingly named as it’s actually a museum now!) and explored it, got some ice cream, and walked back. Dogs are allowed on this trail but must be leashed!
After you check out the Painted Desert Rim Trail, you can also check out the Route 66 exhibit while you’re there and see the old car body of a 1932 Studebaker!
- Have you ever been to Petrified Forest National Park?
- What’s one of the most colorful places you’ve ever been on? :P
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I loved visiting the petrified forest and the painted desert. Your photos capture it perfectly!
Thank you! :] It was really pretty there!
I went years ago as a little girl with my parents. Is this in Utah?
Not quite but close (Arizona)! :]
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2021
It definitely does give you a beautiful view! I would love to go on a hike here.
I hope you get to go sometime! :]!
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2021
I haven’t been, but this looks awesome! I’ll have to add it to the list.
It was really pretty there! (Definitely super hot though, so would recommend visiting not-in-the-summer if possible, haha.)
Farrah recently posted…Grant Tree and General Sherman Tree Trails
I’ve been to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert and I would agree that it’s amazing. Your photos bring back good memories.
Aww, I’m glad! It was such a beautiful place to explore!
Farrah recently posted…Grant Tree and General Sherman Tree Trails
We were here about 20 years ago. I feel like we were unimpressed but I’m not sure we saw all this great stuff, we may have to go back!
Ahh, you may have to at some point! I honestly didn’t think it’d have all thattt much but wanted to check it out anyway and it was a fun day trip!
Farrah recently posted…Grant Tree and General Sherman Tree Trails
I’ve been loving your posts about the teeny hikes near petrified forest National Park. I can totally see how this one got it’s name – it really does look like a paint palate (with lots of pink hues.) I imagine this must be stunning at sunrise!
Hehe, it was nice that they weren’t too long since it meant we got to check them alll out! (I felt like this park was super doable in a day — got a little taste of everything!) I’d love to see everything at sunrise!
Farrah recently posted…Grant Tree and General Sherman Tree Trails
I’m so bummed that I didn’t time my road trip correctly and missed Petrified Forest National Park. I arrived right as the sunset and still have a little further to drive that night. I definitely need to make a return trip – the colors of the rocks is stunning!
Aww, I hope you get to go sometime! I feel like it’s definitely doable in a day, so if it’s in passing to another destination, it’d still work! :]
Farrah recently posted…Grant Tree and General Sherman Tree Trails