NPS Photo

Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at the north end of the park off Interstate 40.

If you have one hour:

• Stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center
• Drive through the park (28 miles) 
• Stop at Kachina Point 
• Drive Blue Mesa Road 
• Stop at Rainbow Forest Museum

Photo by Marge Post/NPS

A visitor examines Old Faithful log along the Giant Logs Trail.

If you have several hours, add....

• Watch the park film
• Stop at Painted Desert Inn Museum
• Stop at several other overlooks 
• Walk the Puerco Pueblo Trail
• Walk the Giant Logs Trail 
• Attend a Ranger Program

Marge Post/NPS

Painted Desert sometimes fills with clouds during rare temperature inversions.

If you have half a day, add....

• Walk the trails at Painted Desert Rim, Blue Mesa, Crystal Forest, Long Logs and Agate House.
• Attend several Ranger Programs

If you have a day or more, add....

• Hike into the Wilderness Area