Much of the Painted Desert region is located within the Navajo Nation and is also home to a number of county parks such as the Little Painted Desert County Park found just north of Winslow.
The Navajo and the Hopi people have lived in this region for at least one thousand years, however the modern name for the desert comes from the Spaniards who named it "el Desierto Pintado" due to its brightly colored landscape.
The desert is made of stratified layers of mineral and decayed organic matter. Many hardened dunes can be found and are visually distinct due to the bands of grays, reds, oranges and yellows which are then shaped by natural wind and rain patterns.
The area is especially picturesque at sunset and sunrise when the land appears to glow in hues of violet, blue, red and gold. The desert also features many mesas and buttes that rise sharply from its floor. Sparse desert flora and fauna can also be found.
The Navajo and the Hopi people have lived in this region for at least one thousand years, however the modern name for the desert comes from the Spaniards who named it "el Desierto Pintado" due to its brightly colored landscape.
The desert is made of stratified layers of mineral and decayed organic matter. Many hardened dunes can be found and are visually distinct due to the bands of grays, reds, oranges and yellows which are then shaped by natural wind and rain patterns.
The area is especially picturesque at sunset and sunrise when the land appears to glow in hues of violet, blue, red and gold. The desert also features many mesas and buttes that rise sharply from its floor. Sparse desert flora and fauna can also be found.
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Painted Desert is the name for a broad area of colorful badlands located in Northern Arizona. The desert stretches from the Grand Canyon National Park into the Petrified Forest National Park. The area within the Petrified Forest National Wilderness is also known as the Painted Desert Wilderness.
Much of the region is accessible only by foot or unpaved road though major highways and paved roads cut across the area. Depending on use, location and duration of stay, travelers might be required to purchase permits from the appropriate authorities.
The towns of Cameron and Tuba City, both within the Navajo Nation, are two major settlements. One interesting side note about Tuba City and Cameron is that parking lots and yards are often covered by bright red dust that is blown in from the surrounding lands by dust storms.
Currently coal and petroleum mining operations are active in the region and red clay is retrieved from the desert by locals. This clay is then used to produce handmade pottery to be sold at roadside stands and souvenir shops.
The Painted Desert was seen in the popular film "Easy Rider." In fact, much of northern Arizona was including the Sunset Crater. You'll notice the beauty of the Painted Desert as the film plays The Band's song "The Weight."
The towns of Cameron and Tuba City, both within the Navajo Nation, are two major settlements. One interesting side note about Tuba City and Cameron is that parking lots and yards are often covered by bright red dust that is blown in from the surrounding lands by dust storms.
Currently coal and petroleum mining operations are active in the region and red clay is retrieved from the desert by locals. This clay is then used to produce handmade pottery to be sold at roadside stands and souvenir shops.
The Painted Desert was seen in the popular film "Easy Rider." In fact, much of northern Arizona was including the Sunset Crater. You'll notice the beauty of the Painted Desert as the film plays The Band's song "The Weight."
Remains of a Triassic Era coniferous forest have fossilized over millions of years and can be found in its southern regions including an assortment of fossilized prehistoric plants and animals, as well as dinosaur tracks and the evidence of early human habitation.
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