Hiking the Painted Desert Rim Trail in Petrified Forest National Park
Distance (One Way): 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
The Painted Desert Rim Trail is arguably the best day hike in Petrified Forest National Park to enjoy the heart of the Painted Desert without undertaking a more serious adventure into the backcountry.
To this point, the northern portion of Petrified Forest National Park is the best and most beautiful part of the park to see the Painted Desert, outside of the Blue Mesa, which is why I highly recommend the easy 1.0-mile (1.6 km) roundtrip hike, as opposed to simply stopping at the viewpoints off the park road.
All said, the Painted Desert Rim Trail is commonly combined with the Tawa Trail via the Painted Desert Visitor Center to make one longer 3.4-mile (5.5 km) adventure that can all be hiked without paying the National Park entrance fee!
To learn more about this and the full hike from the Painted Desert Visitor Center, I highly encourage you to read my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Tawa Trail
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Painted Desert Rim Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Painted Desert Rim Trail is located at either one of two trailheads off Petrified Forest Road. The first is the joint trailhead for both the Painted Desert Rim and the Tawa Trail at Tawa Point, and the second is the historic Painted Desert Inn.
In terms of difficulty or personal preference, I don’t think it makes much of a difference, especially because the elevation change on the hike is essentially negligible.
Google Maps Directions: Painted Desert Rim Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Petrified Forest
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Petrified Forest National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Painted Desert Rim Trail
While the Painted Desert Rim Trail can begin from either Tawa Point or the Painted Desert Inn, this is the trail via Tawa Point (south to north), which is also the same direction that one would continue on from the Tawa Trail had you arrived from the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
Tawa Point
Located just a short walk past the parking area, Tawa Point is the first stop on the Painted Desert Rim Trail.
In my experience, this is where most visitors turn back, rather than continuing on to the Painted Desert Inn.
After Tawa Point, the Painted Desert Rim Trail simply contours the many ridges along the mesa, with expansive views that look out toward the Painted Desert badlands to the east.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
Overall, the Painted Desert Rim Trail is a very easy, straightforward hike that features very little elevation change, regardless of which direction you choose to hike.
With all that in mind, the Painted Desert Rim Trail is easily one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Petrified Forest National Park!
Painted Desert Inn
The Painted Desert Inn is commonly considered to be the end of the Painted Desert Rim Trail.
However, if you continue further along the east side of the inn, you can reach another panoramic viewpoint called Kachina Point, shown below.
At this split, go right to continue hiking to Kachina Point.
Then, go right once again, and Kachina Point will be found shortly ahead.
On a different note, this sign in the photo below is for the ice cream in the Painted Desert Inn, which I highly recommend stopping in for at some point during your visit to Petrified Forest National Park.
However, as of my most recent visit, they are still a cash-only business, meaning that you will be turned away if you arrive unprepared.
Kachina Point
Kachina Point is one of the most expansive viewpoints across the Painted Desert, and it looks directly out into the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area—a popular backpacking area for overnight hikers.
That being said, there are few trails within this wilderness area, and none are designated or maintained by the National Park Service.
For this reason, hiking into the Painted Desert beyond the inn should only be attempted by those who have undertaken the proper planning and preparation, especially during the hot summer months!
More Petrified Forest Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Petrified Forest National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
In Petrified Forest National Park, most safety concerns are related to the hot summer heat/ dehydration, steep, unstable trails, and falls from cliff edges, as many can be unstable in this soft-soil landscape.
Additionally, there are a number of snake species native to Petrified Forest, but only two are considered to be venomous.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Petrified Forest National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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