Painted Desert Visitor Center
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Painted Desert Visitor Center
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
134 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
49
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Scenic01047094064
Riverview, FL37 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The gift shop is amazing! We purchased a beautiful Zuni tribe bracelet there. A lot of jewelry, nicnacks, coffee cups, and more. If you're going to purchase gifts, look at the prices in the visitor center and then compare them to the gift shop. We found the puzzles to be cheaper at the gift store.
Written March 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bookworm8
Memphis, TN264 contributions
Mar 2022
This visitor center looks relatively new with work still in progress. There is a small cafe. I enjoyed a Navajo taco on fry bread. The gift shop is nice too. This is a good place to stop for food, snacks, or rest room breaks. The Painted Desert overlooks are near and the nearby Painted Desert Museum (Harvey house) is lovely. If you don't have time for the entire drive through the Petrified Forest, this end with the Painted Desert is a must.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethany Jones
Sioux City, IA60 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The visitors center was really neat! We stopped and got a walk through from the gal on where to drive and what to visit. Grabbed our map. Stopped at the gift shop and found a couple of neat items. My girls each got a dreamcatcher keychain, I picked up two shot glasses for my dad who collects them. Total was $34.76.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyB5542
Minneapolis, MN4,332 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This visitor center had some construction going on. They had a park gift shop, cafe, and larger gift shop. There are a few picnic tables.
There was a demonstration next to the ranger station. We were able to talk to a paleontologist who was working on some fossilized bones.
There was a demonstration next to the ranger station. We were able to talk to a paleontologist who was working on some fossilized bones.
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill K
Mantorville, MN6,856 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a great place to get off your feet, rehydrate, and get a bite to eat.
The rangers here are so very helpful (like almost every visitor center in the system).
There is a gas station here as well. Not a bad idea to fill as the rest of the park is very remote.
The rangers here are so very helpful (like almost every visitor center in the system).
There is a gas station here as well. Not a bad idea to fill as the rest of the park is very remote.
Written August 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
classic1903
Ventura County Coast, CA173 contributions
Apr 2021
Nice visitor center for visitors to acquaint themselves with the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Parks. Good information by the rangers and a nice selection of items at the gift shop. Very well worth the stop at an excellent national park.
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiddyBoy
Oxford, UK347 contributions
Aug 2019
Very informative, giving you so much information on the area. Staff we encountered were also helpful and knowledgeable.
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovetotravel92630
Orange County336 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
The painted Desert visitors center is located at the entry to the Petrified Forest National Park. The visitor center is worth a stop to get acquainted with the Painted Desert area. It is a good rest stop complex with visitor center, café/restaurant, gift shop, restrooms. the visitor center has a film to give an overview of the Painted Desert. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Free wifi at visitors center.
Written July 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
criss922
Russellville, AR30 contributions
May 2016
The visitors center was very nice & the rangers there were very helpful. I recommend that everyone use the restroom there. There is another one about halfway through the park.
Written June 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig-World-Travelle
Agoura Hills, CA1,719 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Nice place to get souvenirs, maps, books, water and restrooms. The water fountains were shutoff for the winter. The staff provided great recommendations and answered questions. They also have the National Park stamps.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be traveling and pulling a travel trailer. Is there parking available? Is it possible to do the driving tour pulling a trailer? If not, is it possible to unhook, drive the route and and hook back up? Info and advice appreciated.
Written April 16, 2019
You shouldn't have any difficulties since the terrain is pretty flat and the road is in great shape. Big tour buses don't have any difficulty and neither should you.
Written April 30, 2019
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