Painted Desert, Desert formation in Coconino County, United States.
The Painted Desert extends along the Little Colorado River, featuring sedimentary rock layers in red, orange, and purple mineral deposits.
Spanish explorers named this desert in the 16th century after observing the multicolored bands of sedimentary rocks across the landscape.
The Navajo Nation maintains territories within the Painted Desert boundaries, continuing their ancestral connection to this land for thousands of years.
Visitors access the desert through the Petrified Forest National Park, which offers designated hiking trails and observation points.
The desert's geological formations contain fossilized wood fragments and prehistoric plant materials dating back 225 million years.
Location: Coconino County
GPS coordinates: 35.50031,-110.08400
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:14
These places display a wide range of colors. The selection extends from the blue old town of Chefchaouen to the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. It includes geological formations like the Danxia Mountains in China and the Painted Desert in Arizona, as well as colorful cities like Jodhpur in India and Bo-Kaap in South Africa. Natural waters like the Blue Hole in Belize and the lakes of Jiuzhaigou add to the variety with their color tones.
The Southwestern US features sandstone formations, desert landscapes and historic sites. The region displays national parks with colored canyons, ancient pueblo settlements in cliffs, volcanic terrains and natural bridges. Notable elements include Navajo trading posts, petrified forests and prehistoric petroglyphs.
Standin' on the Corner Park
77 km
Wigwam Motel
67 km
Chevelon Creek Bridge
75.9 km
Awatovi Ruins
29.9 km
Homolovi State Park
72.5 km
Painted Desert Inn
53.6 km
La Posada Historic District
76.9 km
Brigham City
74.7 km
Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District
65.3 km
Arizona Rancho
67.3 km
Puerco Ruin and Petroglyphs
64.2 km
Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District
55.4 km
Agate Bridge
72.7 km
Jasper Forest
72.2 km
Crystal Forest
75.6 km
Hubbell Home
52.9 km
Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
47.8 km
The Tepees South Pullout
67.9 km
Chinde Point
52.9 km
Blue Mesa Trail
69.1 km
Painted Desert Visitor Center
55.7 km
Tiponi Point
55.1 km
Jasper Forest Viewpoint
72.6 km
Whipple Point
54.9 km
Route 66 Pullout
56 km
Tawa Point
54.1 km
Lacey Point
55 km
The Tepees North Pullout
67.9 kmReviews
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