Where is the Painted Desert in Arizona?
Located in Northern Arizona, the Painted Desert stretches from the Grand Canyon National Park eastward to the Petrified Forest National Park, with a large portion lying within the Navajo Nation.
What town is closest to the Painted Desert?
The Painted Desert encompasses over 93,500 acres and stretches over 160 miles. It begins about 30 miles north of Cameron, Arizona near the southeastern rim of the Grand Canyon to the Petrified Forest about 26 miles east of Holbrook, AZ.
Why do they call it the Painted Desert?
The Painted Desert was named by a Spanish expedition under Francisco Vázquez de Coronado during his 1540 quest to find the Seven Cities of Cibola. Passing through the wonderland of colors, they named the area El Desierto Pintado (“The Painted Desert”).
Is Painted Desert worth seeing?
Overall it is probably worth a visit if you can spare the time to get there. The landscape is unique and we saw a few thunderstorms cross the area which added to the day. The petrified logs were interesting but seen one or 20 well…
Can you drive through the Painted Desert?
Fodor’s Expert Review Painted Desert Scenic Drive A 28-mile scenic drive takes you through the park from one entrance to the other. If you begin at the north end, the first 5 miles of the drive take you along the edge of a high mesa, with spectacular views of the Painted Desert.
How much does it cost to see the Painted Desert?
FEES & HOURS—The entry fee is $20 per car. The park is open daily 7am to 6pm. VISITOR INFORMATION—For details on the Petrified Forest or the Painted Desert, contact Petrified Forest National Park (www.nps.gov/pefo; tel.
How long does it take to see the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert?
It takes at least 45 minutes to drive the 28-mile road through the park, but to truly experience it try to allow at least a couple of hours to drive Blue Mesa Road, take a hike, and stop at the spectacular viewpoints along the way.
What animals live in the Painted Desert?
Among them: mule deer, ringtails, badgers, striped skunks, both black-tailed jackrabbits and desert cottontails, a variety of bats, four species of wood rat, Kangaroo rats, nine species of mouse, coyotes and bobcat. Ravens will likely be the first, if not the only, wildlife you see in the park.
How much does it cost to get into Petrified National Forest?
Petrified Forest National Park Will Increase Entrance Fees Beginning January 1, 2020
| Entry Fee | Current Fee | Fee as of January 1, 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Pass | $40 | $45 |
| Per vehicle ( good for 7 days) | $20 | $25 |
| Per person/bicycle (good for 7 days) | $10 | $15 |
| Per motorcycle (good for 7 days) | $10 | $15 |
Is the Petrified Forest open during Covid?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) The Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is temporarily closed. Other facilities, including the visitor centers are open during park hours daily, 8am to 5pm, with limits on the amount of people allowed inside at theRainbow Forest Museum.
How much time should I spend at Petrified Forest?
The petrified logs date back hundreds of millions of years, to a time when this land was once lush and fertile. These trees fell and became the mineralized versions of their original forms even before dinosaurs walked the earth. Petrified Forest National Park is small so you really only need one day to explore it.