Best Painted Desert Tours & Trips
A palette of colors can be viewed at this Arizona desert that runs approximately 93,500 acres between Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest national parks. Painted Desert is full of buttes, badlands and mesas are hued with red, orange, yellow, pink and purple. Points of interest are the Painted Desert Visitor's Center and Painted Desert Inn.
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5.0 Tour Code: 747843
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff
+4 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$191.14
5.0 Tour Code: 747849
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff
+5 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$203.22
5.0 Tour Code: 747855
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff
+4 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$240.57
5.0 Tour Code: 747921
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Oak Creek Canyon, Navajo Nation, Cameron Trading Post
+2 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$306.48
5.0 Tour Code: 747966
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Oak Creek Canyon, Navajo Nation, Cameron Trading Post
+2 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$306.48
5.0 Tour Code: 747975
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Oak Creek Canyon, Navajo Nation, Cameron Trading Post
+2 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$306.48
5.0 Tour Code: 747894
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Oak Creek Canyon, Navajo Nation, Cameron Trading Post
+1 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$328.45
5.0 Tour Code: 664500
Start / End City
Los Angeles
Duration
20.0 Days
City & Attractions
Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs
+44 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
Save 10%
From $4,435.15
$3,991.64
5.0 Tour Code: 5481
Start / End City
Los Angeles, San Francisco
Duration
11.0 Days
City & Attractions
Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sedona
+26 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
Save 10%
From $2,544.46
$2,290.01
Free eSIM
5.0 Tour Code: 428425
Start / End City
Los Angeles
Duration
15.0 Days
City & Attractions
Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs
+42 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
Save 10%
From $3,135.10
$2,821.59
5.0 Tour Code: 5482
Start / End City
Los Angeles
Duration
13.0 Days
City & Attractions
Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix
+40 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
Save 10%
From $3,018.47
$2,716.62
5.0 Tour Code: 712215
Start / End City
Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon
Duration
3.0 Hours
City & Attractions
Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon National Park
+1 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
From
$359.00
4.7 (105 reviews) Tour Code: 365
Start / End City
Sedona
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff
+4 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
$295.50
5.0 Tour Code: 480631
Start / End City
Phoenix
Duration
1.0 Day
City & Attractions
Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon
+6 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
From
Live
Best Time to Visit Painted Desert
Winter 2026
In winter (December–February), the Painted Desert experiences cold temperatures averaging -4°C (25°F), with occasional snow dusting its vivid badlands, enhancing the colorful layers of clay and sediment. Despite the chill, crisp sunny days offer ideal conditions for exploring Petrified Forest National Park, where frost-kissed petrified logs gleam against red and purple desert hues. Scenic drives along the 28-mile loop, short hikes to overlooks like Blue Mesa, and photography of snow-contrasted landscapes make winter a peaceful, crowd-free season to witness this surreal terrain.
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Spring 2026
In spring (March-May), the Painted Desert enjoys mild temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 21°C (70°F), with crisp mornings and sunny afternoons perfect for exploration. Blooming wildflowers contrast with the desert’s vivid badlands, enhancing the colorful layers of red, lavender, and gray shale. Visitors can hike the Blue Mesa Trail, spot pronghorn in Petrified Forest National Park, and photograph dramatic landscapes under clear blue skies, making it an ideal season for outdoor adventures.
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Summer 2026
In summer (June-August), the Painted Desert experiences hot, dry conditions with temperatures averaging 32°C (90°F), occasionally rising higher under intense sun. Despite the heat, this vast, colorful badland in northern Arizona offers striking landscapes best seen at sunrise or sunset when light enhances its red, lavender, and ochre striations. Visitors explore sections like the Rainbow Forest near Petrified Forest National Park, where trails reveal fossilized wood and panoramic desert views. Early morning hikes, photography, and ranger-led programs are popular summer activities, while nearby Petrified Forest Visitor Center provides shade and educational exhibits.
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Autumn 2026
In autumn, the Painted Desert dazzles under crisp skies as temperatures cool to a pleasant 10°C (50°F) by November, ideal for exploring its vibrant badlands. Sunrise and sunset light intensifies the layered hues of red, purple, and gray across the Petrified Forest National Park. Hiking trails like Blue Mesa Trail reveal fossil-rich outcrops and stark beauty, while nearby Petrified Forest Village offers cultural insights. Fewer crowds and clear air enhance photography and stargazing, making it a serene season to experience this otherworldly landscape in northern Arizona.
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Reviews for Painted Desert Tours
A
One of the most amazing tour experiences I have ever had. Well knows guide, hats off to that gentleman, known about the importance & cultural value of every inch of the land which laid on the pathway we passed to Grand Canyon. So thrilled
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FAQs about Painted Desert Tours
Is the Painted Desert worth visiting compared to the Grand Canyon?
Yes, while the Grand Canyon offers monumental scale, the Painted Desert provides a unique landscape of badlands with banded, colorful strata stretching for miles. Located along I-40 in Arizona and partially within Petrified Forest National Park, its vast, surreal vistas are especially striking at sunrise and sunset. It’s a must-see for geology enthusiasts and photographers.
Can you drive through the Painted Desert, and are there paved roads?
Yes. US Highway 180 and AZ-180 traverse the area, with a scenic drive within Petrified Forest National Park running from I-40 to Route 66. Most main roads are paved, including the 28-mile Painted Desert Rim Drive. Gravel roads like Blue Mesa Road are generally passable with standard vehicles in dry conditions.
What is the best time of year to visit the Painted Desert?
The best time is spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are mild, ranging from 50°F to 80°F. Summer brings extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, and limited shade. Winter offers dramatic lighting and occasional snow accents, but roads may close briefly due to ice. Avoid midday summer visits.
Is there an entrance fee to see the Painted Desert?
Yes - access to the Painted Desert within Petrified Forest National Park requires an entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (valid 7 days). Alternatively, the America the Beautiful Pass is accepted. Free viewpoints exist along US-180 and I-40 outside the park, but trail access and key overlooks require park entry.
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