National Park
The best cabin rentals in Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, AZ
The best cabin rentals in Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, AZ
Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
1. Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
97%
(251)
49mi from Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site · 1 site
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.
Toilets
Showers
Cooking equipment
from
$60
/ night
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Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
J
Jim
December 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
We loved our stay!
The cabin is comfortable and well equipped. Having a full bathroom, running water, and lights is a luxury! Ross is a great host. His advice and directions were helpful. We have a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle so we were able to get to the cabin without any difficulty. We can’t wait to return!
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Zach
December 2025
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
Incredible place, loved it! Road is as advertised but really manageable if it’s dry and you have the ground clearance.
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s
sophie
September 2025
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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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Sam
July 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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
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Jeffery
July 2025
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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.
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E
Elena
June 2025
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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.
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kalie
June 2025
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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.
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Thomas
May 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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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Artsem
April 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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.
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K
Koleen
March 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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.
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L
Lindsay
March 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
Absolutely stellar experience at the Ranger Cabin. You simply cannot beat the desert views, clear sky, and solitude. 10/10.
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Austin
January 2025
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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!!!
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Gerardo
December 2024
1 night at Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
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)
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Jared
November 2024
Weekend Trip to Painted Desert Ranger Cabin
Great place to get away. We had the best time staying here.
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