While Winslow is widely known for its famous corner and historic charm, just a short drive north lies a hidden gem that offers a breathtaking natural spectacle: The Little Painted Desert County Park. This often-overlooked destination has stunning vistas, vibrant colors, and a complete lack of tourists getting in your way!
Planning Your Visit
The Little Painted Desert is a serene and less-visited counterpart to the nearby Petrified Forest National Park. It features a series of colorful, eroded cliffs and hills that stretch out in a dazzling array of reds, pinks, oranges, and purples, especially striking during sunrise and sunset. The colors and patterns are the result of millions of years of geological processes, including volcanic activity and sediment deposition.
Though you will be treated to great views if you go, know that this county park is now abandoned. We were unable to find any information about why it was abandoned and left to decay but it does appear that it still sees the occasional visitor. Because it is abandoned, it does not require an entrance fee. There are no bathrooms in the park, nor are there any for miles, so go before you go!
Also, if you are interested in hiking, a trail does lead down into the badlands for a closer look at the rock formations. Nothing is marked, and there are no maps, but it is relatively easy to see your surroundings.
Getting There
The entrance is located about 15 miles north of Winslow on the west side of the road. The highway to get there is quite lonely and bare. Keep a look out for the turn as there are no signs along the road indicating the stop is ahead and the entrance is unmarked. Your GPS should lead you to the correct spot and it will be the only turn to take in that area on the left-hand side (coming from the south).
The road leading to the parking area has not been maintained and does have potholes, but it is really not bad and is less than a mile.
Final Note:
It was quite windy the day we visited so we didn’t stay for too long. Unless you venture down one of the hiking trails, this is likely a 30-minute or less stop, so plan to visit Standin’ on the Corner Park back in Winslow as part of your trip!
