So I am planning a long trip for us...NC to TX for San Antonio and then on to Painted Desert AZ, ok with SA on cgs but in AZ not sure what destination area is best for the desert. Is there a certain 'go to area' around the desert that I should be targeting. Never been out there and just starting to get a feel of where I should be and this is an area hubby wants to see and usually we do state parks, national parks etc but this time we will spring for more expensive resort park if any are nearby cause thru a rarity hubby wants it all on this trip lolAny info about where to go around the Painted Desert for booking a cg would be great. Just anything to get me pointed in the right direction. THANKS

Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA Holbrook ArizonaVery nice KOA we enjoyed our stay there - we stayed 4 nights Not many campgrounds in the area

The Crystal Forest Museum and Gift Shop at the south entrance to the Petrified Forest off of US 180. They supposedly have improved and now have 20 sites with electric (probably 15 amp but don't know for sure), dump and laundry. They were very inexpensive and handy to the park when we were there in 2008. In case you are not aware, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert are right next to each other.

Thanks guys.these are the 2 things I found out a bit ago :) but it is good to see they are confirmed as good to go.....and yea we will hit the Petrified also since we are there.scary thing RR the KOA got such bad reviews when I just read up on them...hmm... I might target a bit away from the desert and use that as a go to from another area a bit farther away. We have alot of days for travel so we actually have that lesiure time on this trip to kinda wander and not worry or be stressed about having to see it and go right home lolappreciate the posts

accsys wrote:The Crystal Forest Museum and Gift Shop at the south entrance to the Petrified Forest off of US 180. They supposedly have improved and now have 20 sites with electric (probably 15 amp but don't know for sure), dump and laundry. They were very inexpensive and handy to the park when we were there in 2008. In case you are not aware, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert are right next to each other.If was free when we dry camped there a number of years ago. Also there is also a store across the street that also allow dry camping.A day trip to Meteor Crater near Winslow AZ. In Winslow, you can "look for the girl in the truck" if you know the song. There is free dry camping at the city lake. GPS N34° 58.209' W110° 38.620'Painted Desert is not "real desert". For the John Wayne red sand desert go North to Monument Valley and Valley of Gods in Southeast UT. For Cactus type desert go south to Phoenix.

Also in the area is where the projectile from space struck the earth. There is also a RV park near the crater.

Painted Desert AZ | Good Sam Community

TenOC
Nomad
Sep 21, 2017
accsys wrote:
The Crystal Forest Museum and Gift Shop at the south entrance to the Petrified Forest off of US 180. They supposedly have improved and now have 20 sites with electric (probably 15 amp but don't know for sure), dump and laundry. They were very inexpensive and handy to the park when we were there in 2008. In case you are not aware, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert are right next to each other.

If was free when we dry camped there a number of years ago. Also there is also a store across the street that also allow dry camping.

A day trip to Meteor Crater near Winslow AZ. In Winslow, you can "look for the girl in the truck" if you know the song. There is free dry camping at the city lake. GPS N34° 58.209' W110° 38.620'

Painted Desert is not "real desert". For the John Wayne red sand desert go North to Monument Valley and Valley of Gods in Southeast UT. For Cactus type desert go south to Phoenix.
FunnyCamper
Explorer II
Sep 21, 2017
Thanks guys.

these are the 2 things I found out a bit ago :) but it is good to see they are confirmed as good to go.....and yea we will hit the Petrified also since we are there.

scary thing RR the KOA got such bad reviews when I just read up on them...hmm... I might target a bit away from the desert and use that as a go to from another area a bit farther away. We have alot of days for travel so we actually have that lesiure time on this trip to kinda wander and not worry or be stressed about having to see it and go right home lol

appreciate the posts
accsys
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
The Crystal Forest Museum and Gift Shop at the south entrance to the Petrified Forest off of US 180. They supposedly have improved and now have 20 sites with electric (probably 15 amp but don't know for sure), dump and laundry. They were very inexpensive and handy to the park when we were there in 2008. In case you are not aware, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert are right next to each other.
rr2254545
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017
Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA Holbrook Arizona

Very nice KOA we enjoyed our stay there - we stayed 4 nights

Not many campgrounds in the area

Forum Discussion

Painted Desert AZ

About Campground 101

Related Content

Suggestion for trip to desert southwest

Desert Southwest suggestions

Desert Truck Camping

Any SoCal desert off-road riders?

Safest Route Tucson, AZ to Brookings, Or.