Painted Desert Inn — Attraction in Four Corners States

I was in that entire area over 60 years ago in the 1960's for a spell. Petrified pieces small & huge were being trucked away for sale by many.The best pieces back then were found fairly deep into that old rock forest.Oh, & I 've spent some nights in a tent in the 'ol forest--& when you laid back and looked up---that was the most eye-popping & precious view of our MilkyWay Galaxy...looked like it was a blaze it was so blasted bright. One old guy showed me photos of a huge Dining Room table he made out of two humongous petrified pieces with perfect spiraled old growth tree rings in the rock & now petrified forever with miraculous colors ablaze made as the table base with a huge thick solid glass rectangle top laying over both pieces & it just sparkled---he said his buyer was a big Hollywood celebrity--would not give name for fear of presecution said he was so well paid to make it...the most beautiful piece of work I ever saw....& I am now 76. Back then, things were "looser" about carrying away pieces of petrified wood...shortly after that the fed govt cracked down hard with severe penalties....yet the ones who lived next or near to the park all their lives still knew the land & how to get the big & best pieces out to sell by word of mouth to $$$ serious buyers. I don't doubt that table the one guy had made in 1960's today is worth approx $500,000! Today!....--easy....why?...cause there will NEVER be another one like that one ever made again.....cannot get away with taking pieces nearly that size today....& I am glad it is being secured tight. I'd love to know where that one of kind dinner table is today....I bet it is being kept a big secret because fear of repossesion by govt...probably long out of the country by now...& sold to someone by that 1st owner....with new owner living so far away in another country so our govt would never...

The Painted Desert Inn is one of the remaining Harvey House hotels that were located along the Santa Fe Railroad during the Golden Age of rail travel. Today, it is open for visitors to see and has a small gift store. It is no longer possible to stay in the inn but visitors are welcome to wander the open areas of the inn.

Of particular note are the glass ceiling above the main staircase and the carvings on the backs of the stools at the old coffee shop. Taking a ranger guided tour is recommended as they will take you down to the small rooms that the Harvey Girl staff members stayed in while they worked here.

The Inn also provides the only trailhead down into the Painted Desert. The trail is steep as it switchbacks off the top of the bluff the Inn is on. Once down the slope, the trail follows a dry wash until it comes out into the open desert. Back country hiking is possible but should not be undertaken unless you are experienced with overland navigation as the trail is not well marked and eventually completely disappears. Also keep in mind this is the desert so bring an adequate supply of water. Hikers should be aware of weather conditions as flash floods can occur in this area, even when there is no rain in the immediate vicinity.

Water and restrooms are available here. If you are just entering the Park, this will be your last place to get water until you reach the Rainbow Forest visitor center 25 miles (40 km) to the south. The next restroom is 9 miles (14 km) away at the Puerco Pueblo so plan accordingly. The parking includes parking for...

4 stars are more for the people we met there. Historic building was interesting (we were too late for ice cream). Beautiful, authentic handmade Navajo blankets (used their own sheared wool and hand-dyed).

Today we were at the Painted Desert Inn (inside the Petrified Forest National Park). We spoke with a Navaho man who showed us this video on his phone. This was not his grandfather, but his grandfather was also in the 5th Marine Division.

He was so proud of his grandfather, Windtalkers, Marines, 5th Marine Division, his heritage and his country.

It was a gift to meet someone with such...