Painted Desert Inn And Painted Desert Rim Trail In Petrified Forest National Park

The Painted Desert Inn is a historic building located within the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1975.

The Painted Desert Inn became a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

The building was originally constructed out of petrified wood in the 1920s and used as a rest stop for travelers along Route 66. In the 1930s it was reconstructed with the adobe facade you see today.

The building serves as a museum now that celebrates the history and culture of the region. Displays inside highlight the building’s history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase the area’s geology, ecology, and human history, including displays on the park’s petrified wood, Native American cultures, and early pioneers and explorers.

The inside has a recreation of the old fountain shop that use to operate in the building during its heyday.

There are some amazing restored murals inside by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.

The inn is situated on a mesa overlooking the vast and colorful Painted Desert and the incredible views go on for miles.

The Painted Desert Rim Trail starts here and is a relatively flat hike on a well-maintained path.

There are several interpretive signs along the hike that provide information on the area’s geology, ecology, and cultural history.

This trail is a 1.2 mile out and back hike from the Inn to Tawa Point.

If you’re looking for a longer hike from Tawa Point you can walk another 1.2 miles to the Painted Desert Visitor Center then turn around and return to the inn.

The Painted Desert Rim Trail passes through the rim woodland of the mesa. This easy trail has hardly any elevation gain so it’s perfect for the whole family including your furry friends.

The scenic views during the hike are amazing.

The Painted Desert Inn is just extremely cool and was a favorite stop of ours during our visit to the park. I highly recommend exploring the building and hiking the trail found there.

A small gift shop is located inside to purchase national park swag and handmade merchandise from local artists.

Restrooms and trashcans are provided for visitors as well.