Arizona’s badlands are often considered to be more picturesque than the Grand Canyon. Located to the Southeast of Grand Canyon National Park and encompassing a land mass running approximately 60 miles wide and approximately 120 miles from north to south, the unofficial badlands are primarily comprised of the Arizona natural wonder known as The Painted Desert.

The painted landscape here was given the moniker uring an exploration into the area in 1540 by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. His name for the Painted Desert couldn't have been more spot-on.
Flickr/Joe Jiang
A day visit into the Painted Desert is an ideal place to spot the natural red tones notable to Arizona landscapes.
TripAdvisor/Jessica L
You'll also get astounding views of painted mountains with perfectly laid stripes at which to gawk.
Flickr/Marina & Enrique

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Most of the Painted Desert is only accessible on foot and is located on Navajo lands which means a permit is required to visit. But there are exceptions...
TripAdvisor/Jessica L
The desert intersects part of the northern section of the Petrified Forest and from there, you can drive right through the southernmost portion of The Painted Desert at the same time as seeing part of the Petrified Forest!
Flickr/Mobilus In Mobili
Since the two are adjacent, you can pair them up for one great big scenic day trip in Arizona!
Google Maps
The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert Visitor Center is conveniently located just off Interstate 40, exit 311 (The sign says Petrified Forest).

The address for The Painted Desert Visitors Center is 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028. It’s open year-round, seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To see more Northern Arizona natural wonders: This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Arizona Like You’ve Seen It Before.

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