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Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

97%

· Holbrook, Navajo, Arizona

40 acres hosted by Ross T.

1 lodging site

Near Petrified Forest National Park

Within a 30-minute drive from the Painted Desert Visitor Center.

Best in Arizona: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Ross is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

ATTENTION: If you do not have a lifted, high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle with locking differentials, and prepared for self-rescue with a winch, shovel, and rigging DO NOT BOOK THIS CABIN. The cabin sits at the end of an unmaintained, unimproved, dirt road that becomes impassible during winter snow events and summer monsoon rains! The Painted Desert Ranger Cabin is a backcountry, off grid cabin acquired by Ranger Ross in 2011. Ranger Ross lived in the cabin while he worked as a resource protection ranger at the Petrified Forest National Park. The ranger cabin is a rustic off grid cabin that offers no amenities. There is no concierge, room service, or continental breakfast. There is no linen service or fancy little bottles of shampoo. It does however, offer beautiful views of the Painted Dessert wilderness, quiet serenity, and amazing star gazing opportunities. All from the comfort of a cozy one room cabin with a queen size bed and a flush toilet. The ranger cabin sits on the border of the north wilderness area of the Petrified Forest National Park. There are great hiking and exploration opportunities right out the back door of the cabin.ATTENTION: If you do not have a lifted, high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle with locking differentials, and prepared for self-rescue with a winch, shovel, and rigging DO NOT BOOK THIS CABIN. The cabin sits at the end of an unmaintained, unimproved, dirt road that becomes impassible during winter snow events and summer monsoon rains! The Painted Desert Ranger Cabin is a backcountry, off grid cabin built by Ranger Ross in 2011. Ranger Ross lived in the cabin while he worked as a resource protection ranger at the Petrified Forest National Park. The ranger cabin is a rustic off grid cabin that offers no amenities. There is no concierge, room service, or continental breakfast. There is no linen service or fancy little bottles of shampoo. It does however, offer beautiful views of the Painted Dessert wilderness, quiet serenity, and amazing star gazing opportunities. All from the comfort of a cozy one room cabin with a queen size bed and a flush toilet. The cabin is not easily accessible by passenger vehicles. However, visitors can hike to it through the Petrified Forest National Park if they do not have an off-road capable vehicle. If you are driving please remember it is only accessible by dirt road. A high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary, the cabin is about 4 miles off the pavement. This is a remote, back-country, cabin. Guests should plan to bring everything they will need including food, sleeping bags (or) linens for the queen size bed, fire wood, toilet paper and drinking water. Please clean up after your stay and leave the cabin ready for the next visitor.

Activities

Hiking

Horseback riding

Wildlife watching

Natural features

Desert

97%

232 ratings · 187 reviews

John M.recommends

September 29, 2024

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

The Ranger Cabin Was Perfect For Us

We parked at the gate, then walked the road the rest of the way to the cabin. We found the roads (from IH 40 to the gate....Washboard to Black Curv to Pinetree to gate) in surprisingly good condition -- my Kia Sportage AWD with Wildpeak tires made it with no problem, however, I would not even attempt it in wet or snowy conditions! Also, there is a spot in the road near the cabin that I would not attempt even with the best 4 wheel drive I have ever owned....it is only a few hundred yards, but, based on what I experienced, don't expect to drive right up to the cabin. The host was very easy to get in touch with and very helpful. This cabin is remote and requires just the right amount of adventure to get there.... I would highly recommend if moderate adventure is your thing! Tom McC

Lindsey W.recommends

July 12, 2024

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

Wow—just wow! We stayed here for only one night on our way from California to Oklahoma, but I hated to leave. Next time, we will make this our destination! The ranger cabin had everything we needed, with a lovely guidebook on hikes around the cabin. It was HOT in the cabin when we got there (middle of summer), so we slept with the garage door open and had no issues. I wish we had time to explore the beautiful desert around us. We arrived at 11:30 pm and navigated the road with no issues, but could tell that it would be very treacherous if it had rained at all. High clearance is 100% necessary. The stars and desert sunrise were such a treat. We can’t wait to come back! The only thing that kind of freaked me out was that the sheets appeared to have been slept on and all of the towels looked dirty. We had our own towels, but next time we would just make sure to bring our own sheets as well.

Michael R.recommends

June 1, 2024

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

Fun place - unique - as advertised . Great stay!

Olivia R.recommends

June 1, 2024

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

Staying at the Ranger Cabin!

Staying at the Ranger Cabin is for adventurous and minimalist souls! It was awesome to feel like we were the only ones out there; if we had more time, we would have checked out the nearby trails! Be prepared to use all your own stuff, but the kitchen set-up is great! Stargazing & sunset was beautiful. Unfortunately, my Subaru Crosstrek couldn't make it down the road, but we assumed it wouldn't. For anyone who has a lifted 4x4 vehicle, this spot is phenomenal for it! Be prepped to walk your stuff over if not.

Rahnee M.recommends

April 18, 2024

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

Perfect off grid getaway. We have been here 3 times so far and love it everything still. Great night skies, away from everyone, and has a stove to make a quick meal and cozy bed. A different type of glamping.

Valerie D.recommends

November 22, 2023

Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

Absolute Must!

We are minimalists so we didn’t shy away from this listing and I’m so glad we didn’t. We even towed our teardrop (yes it’s off-road and has tons of clearance so don’t take this as incentive to bring a non-trail camper). We parked it 99% of the way down the trail and walked in with backpacks. We had me, my husband and our two boys and just needed a break from our trek in the camper for a night and this was exactly what we needed. We arrived before the amazing sunset and brought NVGs and explored the outside after dark before relaxing. We brought our own lights and bedding and didn’t use the shower or kitchen or anything, but it looked great! Directions were very easy to follow and access was easy. We’d definitely stay again and explore the hikes more.

Location

Holbrook, Navajo, Arizona, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Diné Bikéyah, Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, and Shiwinna (Zuni) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking