Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
Hosted by Ross · Holbrook, Arizona
3 guests max · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet
Best Hipcamps in Arizona
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
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.
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Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
97%
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97% Recommend249 ratings · 200 reviews
Mixed feelings
· October 2025
This has been my 3rd time at the cabin. I really love the place. The only issue is those wind turbines. They vibrate the entire cabin and when they get up to speed, the speed safety mechanism kicks in resulting in an annoying Clunk. It's tolerable during the day, but not during the evening while trying to relax or go to bed. It would be nice if you had the choice to disengage the turbines when needed. I'd sacrifice any extra electricity for some peace and quiet while enjoying the views and night skies at such a beautiful place.
David W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Such a beautiful, peaceful stay!!! The property, ranger cabin and surrounding land is breathtaking and we are so grateful to Ranger Ross, Ranger Kip & previous people who stayed who helped make this place an amazing stop!
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Sophie G.
2 reviews
My daughter and I are on an across the country roadtrip and stayed here for 1 night. The place is in an incredible location with complete solitude. However, even my Chevy Silverado bottomed out lightly in a few spots. The description is very clear that access is limited and that is very true, but it’s worth the visit. I wouldn’t recommend a visit in the summer because the building remains hot all night long (even with the garage door open), but it would seem perfect for spring and fall visits. We set up our cots outside for a relaxing night under the stars, but an unexpected storm rolled in and quickly cancelled those plans. Inside worked fine, but it was very warm. There’s a lot of space inside for a couple or small family.
Would I or we return again, certainly. It’s truly a unique experience you’ll be unlikely to match.
Thank you,
Sam & Olivia
Essex, VT
Sam S.
13 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Great place to be away from everything and be in a natural environment. Fun drive to get there. Very relaxing even in the heat. Nice to find a place with a shower and a flush toilet. The view in every direction is beautiful.
Jeffery S.
5 months on Hipcamp
The Ranger Cabin is the type of place you go and time slips away from you in the best way possible. Remote, off-grid, and right up against the wilderness area of the Painted Desert side of the Petrified Forest National Park. You escape the cars, pavement, crowds and commercialization that so many of our beautiful parks are now riddled with. A chance to leave behind civilization, but still enjoy the amenities of an off-grid cabin is a rarity. The shower is a delight after a day of hiking out into the wilderness. There is a little pellet stove there for those that stay in the cold winter months. The cabin has a mini fridge that stays on long enough to give you the luxury of a cold beverage when you need it most. Cookware, and a stove, and all that is provided for those that need it. Leave the place cleaner than you found it, please. This is a special place, one that inspires you to leave it all behind. Read Desert Solitaire while you're there and you just might never leave. I look forward to returning someday. Until then, I will be dreaming of the gorgeous view of the seemingly eternal desert.
E
Elena L.
10 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2025
Loved the place and the views were unreal. Great way to see part of petrified National Forest. Definitely check out devils playground.. looked like something from another planet. Would definitely stay there again.
K
Kalie C.
7 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Absolutely beautiful land. An amazing place to wake up! The cabin was everything one wants in my opinion. Electric, hot water, pellet stove, gas range and an absolutely stunning backdrop. 4x4 highly recommended.
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Thomas S.
6 reviews
Recommends
· April 2025
Truly an amazing experience being off the grid. The place was well-kept and had everything you might need. Just be prepared for a bumpy road.
Artsem N.
7 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
This was a small oasis in the desert. There was so much to explore and see. Our young kids absolutely loved this location and we even made it to the devils playground and they loved looking at all the pretty rocks :) The ranger cabin had everything we needed and more. We were sad we only had one night. Thanks for an amazing experience.
K
Koleen A.
2 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
Absolutely stellar experience at the Ranger Cabin. You simply cannot beat the desert views, clear sky, and solitude. 10/10.
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Lindsay S.
2 reviews
solitude in the dessert. wonderful spot very much will go back. we were a little worried at first with the off road warning and planning on showing up after dark. but we had done a lot of exploring in dessert and have a 2018 4runner with 31” tires and once we got there to see the road it felt like cake. no problem getting in but one feature a drainage that was pretty deep might be triky for some without clearance or 4wheel drive so understand the need for disclaimer for most. we were there in late jan and was going to be 10-20deg at night, was a little worried about temps so noticed wood stove in the photos so brought fire wood but when got there realized it was a pellet stove and had some pellets there
so that kept us cozy all night no problem. beautiful spot loved it lots. all off grid soo cool. thanks so much!!!
A
Austin L.
3 reviews
Recommends
· December 2024
We love this place; description says low expectations but not real, there is an amazing place! Very peaceful, have everything you need and more.
We want repeat for more days.
Place is safe, beautiful surroundings and perfect for hiking.
(Be sure you need 4x4 vehicles)
G
Gerardo D.
13 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
Great place to get away. We had the best time staying here.
J
Jared R.
3 years on Hipcamp
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
J
John M.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2024
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.
L
Lindsey W.
3 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
Fun place - unique - as advertised . Great stay!
M
Michael R.
3 reviews
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.
O
Olivia R.
2 reviews
Recommends
· April 2024
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.
Rahnee M.
2 years on Hipcamp
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.
V
Valerie D.
10 reviews
Awesome place. Quiet and beautiful. Being able to see parts of the park that we otherwise wouldn't have seen was definitely worth it.
B
Breezy B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2023
With pets ·
Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
The location is exclusive and peaceful. I would suggest you take a fan if you go during the hotter months.
C
Catholic C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2023
Very remote stay, which was the quiet and desert beauty I needed.
K
Kortney M.
2 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· April 2023
Unfortunately, we did not have a great experience, primarily due to the weather. There were wind warnings which kept us inside and the cabin has no windows. The clouds covered up any night sky viewing and the wind blew constantly. The cabin is metal so the wind was very loud inside the cabin. Additionally, the two windmills attached to the cabin which we think were there to pump water banged loudly ever one to two minutes, hour after hour. We had to sleep in the back of our truck, away from the cabin, as it was impossible to sleep with the constant banging. Very unfortunate.
C
Catherine B.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2023
Magical experience. The hikes around the area are great. Love being off the beaten path.
B
Brandee G.
2 years on Hipcamp
Unfortunately, my husband had an emergency surgery and we were unable to go on our trip to the cabin.
What I DO WANT TO MAKE CLEAR is that Ross is not a friendly guy. If you ask questions, Do Not expect a polite response. He is curt and really doesn’t want to be bothered with any questions or concerns.
YOU ARE TRULY ON YOUR OWN FROM BEFORE YOU BOOK THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE EXPERIENCE.
K
Kelley C.
3 years on Hipcamp
This place is epic. As described. The ditch crossing is also as advertised. My Trail Boss made it no issues but the hitch dug in. Cars probably won’t make it. But it’s very close to the cabin. Cabin had everything we needed including an amazing view. Bring firewood for indoor wood burning stove if you like. We will be back.
T
Tim G.
3 reviews
The area is beautiful. Unfortunately the vehicle we planned on taking for our trip was out of commission so we were in a sedan. We decided to see how bad the roads were and made it about a mile on the dirt path before deciding to turn around. Even in an SUV this would be very difficult. It is not an exaggeration that you need a LIFTED all terrain vehicle for this drive. There are massive crevices and washed out areas. It’s also pretty sandy in areas as well. It seemed easy enough to hike in but we were nervous about trying to get out if it rained overnight. Will have to come back someday with a better vehicle!
K
Karen L.
5 reviews
I wish we could have stayed here longer. The stars were amazing until the big full moon came up! It was very peaceful and we saw some wildlife too. Be careful when you get the big ditch right before you get to the cabin. If you aren't sure you can make it through, go ahead and walk the rest of the way. We barely made it out with 4WD and high clearance. I would definitely stay here again!
A
Angie M.
3 reviews
Wonderful place. Incredible sunset views and stargazing. Comfortable bed, pellet stove was warm, couldn't ask for much more. Definitely recommend a 4x4 high clearance vehicle with all terrain tires (not all seasons) to get there. The hardest obstacle was a 2 ft ditch near the cabin- just approach at an angle. My stock Toyota 4Runner crossed it with ease on a snowy/muddy afternoon.
D
Daniel C.
2 years on Hipcamp
Miles from anywhere, this cabin is a great spot to get your wilderness on. Wood pellet stove, running water, functional kitchen – – far exceeded expectations. When Ross says to bring a very capable vehicle, he is not joking. Be ready to bring it.
T
Tyler A.
3 reviews
Location
Holbrook, Navajo, Arizona, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Ross T.
Joined in July 2019Things to do nearby
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