The Painted Desert
The Painted Desert's remarkable geology dates to the Late Triassic Period, over 200 million years ago.
Plan Around The Painted Desert
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
The Painted Desert Details
The Painted Desert's remarkable geology dates to the Late Triassic Period, over 200 million years ago. Encompassing most of the northern portion of the park, the desert was formed when large rivers flowed northwest toward the sea, which was then located in what would become Nevada. The rivers deposited thick layers of silt on their journey, and modern erosional forces have exposed the multi-colored layers in today's badland hills, mesas, and buttes in what is known as the Chinle Formation. The Painted Desert includes the park's main visitor center just off I-40. Those who wish to explore the area can do so via the 10-mile loop portion of Petrified Forest Road, which offers a number of turnouts for pictures and spectacular vistas in the North Unit of the park. You can view the desert from the Painted Desert Rim Trail between Tawa Point and Kachina Point or take the backcountry hike to Onyx Bridge, a 4-mile round trip. Everything north of the Lithodendron Wash is a designated wilderness area.
Difficulty
Low
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Nearby Parks Around The Painted Desert
Compare nearby parks around The Painted Desert when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around The Painted Desert
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond The Painted Desert while the map context is still fresh.
1.5 mi away
Chinde Mesa
In the far north section of the park, inside the designated Wilderness Area, is Chinde Mesa, which stands at 6,004 feet.
4.1 mi away
Pilot Rock
To reach Pilot Rock, the highest point in Petrified Forest National Park, visitors must hike seven miles across the Painted Desert.
4.7 mi away
Digger Wash
Digger Wash runs through the northwest portion of the park.
5.8 mi away
The Black Forest
The Black Forest is a wilderness region in the park's northern unit, and is home to badlands, eroded rock formations and a fair bit of petrified wood.
5.9 mi away
Onyx Bridge Hike
The 4-mile roundtrip Onyx Bridge Trail offers a dramatic example of petrified wood eroding out of the Black Forest Bed within the Chinle Formation.
