Visitor Centers

See Operating Hours & Seasons for current visitor center hours.

Painted Desert Visitor Center

Found in the historic Painted Desert Community Complex
Open all year and located at exit #311 off of I-40
Services include:

• visitor information, orientation, and backcountry permits
• bookstore
• exhibits
• restaurant
• short loop walking trail with signage exploring park points of interest
• trailhead for the Tawa Trail
• Plants of the historic plaza
• Museum Demonstration Lab
• gift shop
• gas station
• postal drop box
• picnic pavilion
• public restrooms
• dog park

Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

Located at Kachina Point, 2 miles (3.2 km) from the north entrance at exit #311 off of I-40. The inn once served as a respite for travelers along historic Route 66. Read more on the inn's history pages. Services include:

• museum and gallery space
• visitor information and orientation
• sweeping desert vistas
• Access to Painted Desert Rim Trail and Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
• public restrooms

Rainbow Forest Museum

One of many historic buildings in Rainbow Forest Complex
Located near the southern entrance to the park, off US-180
Services include:

• visitor information, orientation, and backcountry permits
• paleontological exhibits complete with skeleton displays of prehistoric animals
• bookstore
• Access to Giant Logs, Long Logs, and Agate House Trails
• gift shop with limited snacks
• picnic pavilion
• public restrooms
• park movie at the gift shop.