Instead of me attempting to recreate a fitting tribute, I have chosen to send you to the
professional website for Dotch Windsor's Painted Desert Trading Post prepared by the
efforts of several of the 9 Route 66 Co-Op Members, who are responsible for rescuing
the endangered historic property and by pooling funds and gathering donations for materials
and labor for the preservation work. Literally thousands of man (and woman) hours have been
devoted to this project in hopes that she will be treasured by our future generations as
much as she is treasured by the Route 66 Co-Op Members. Find out why the PDTP is refered
to by many Route 66 Roadies and Travelers as the Crown Jewel of Route 66 !!
*Controlled Access is being provided by the Route 66 Co-Op ... find out more at the Route 66
Painted Desert Trading Post Group on facebook at the PDTP Link at the bottom of this page!
Here are the detailed directions to the Painted Desert Trading Post which was recently restored
and preserved by the nine members of the Route 66 Co-Op and countless volunteers and monetary
donors! All, and I mean ALL, Route 66 Travelers are encouraged to make the short detour and visit
this historic Trading Post along Arizona Historic Route 66 while traveling along Arizona I-40
just west of the Exit at the Shell Station/Subway (Navajo, AZ) when traveling westbound !!
Many people have asked about specific directions from Interstate 40 to the Painted Desert Trading Post.
It’s quite a simple and easy trip that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes each way. Just
add in the time you spend at the one-of-a-kind Indian Trading Post.Take Exit 320 (Pinta Road)
off I-40 and head north. There are a few turns on the pavement before coming to a dirt road.
As long as there hasn’t been any significant rain in recent days you shouldn’t have any problems.
This stretch of dirt road is 1.2 miles and is somewhat maintained during the year, at least
to smooth out any shallow ruts that may have formed. You’ll see 4-5 low spots where puddles
can form if has rained. You’ll see places where you can go to the edge of the road to go around
any wet spots. You shouldn’t experience any problems no matter what kind of vehicle you’re driving.
The sandy dust can sometimes get a few inches deep which actually helps to smooth out the ride.
After 1.2 miles you’ll come to a gate with a sign that has two phone numbers to call to get access.
Enter the 8 digit code and pull down on the internet lock to open it. After you get the gate
unlocked and opened, pass through and close the gate behind you. There is a copper wire loop
that you can use to loop over the fence post to secure the gate during your visit, instead of
relocking the internet lock. Keep in mind that depending on the time of year this can be an
active cattle grazing area. The gate MUST be kept CLOSED to keep the cattle where they belong.
After you close the gate take a left. You are now on an old, un-maintained stretch of Route 66.
It’s been 60+ years since any state or county maintenance has been done to the road. You can see
that it’s only a little more than one lane wide. Mother Nature has been at work over those 60+
years, slowly reclaiming the old road. The only time you may have a problem is if you encounter
another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. If you look closely at the road surface there
are spots where what’s left of the painted line in the middle of the road can be seen. It’s now
2.6 miles to the trading post. Again, the road is in fairly decent shape for being abandoned for
so long. There are a couple of rough spots and some areas where the asphalt surface is a little
"wash-boardy". Each driver will have to take these 2.6 miles at a speed that is comfortable and
safe for them. A word to the wise ... I sincerely doubt that AAA or any other similar service
would come out here to rescue you so take it easy.
Depending on the time of day you may see a pronghorn or two, maybe even jumping across the road
in front of you. After about 2 miles you’ll see a white building off in the distance, and that
is the trading post (PDTP). A little further down the road and you’ll pull up in front. You’ll
find an area to park on either side of the old road from the PDTP.Open the green gate on the fence,
making sure to close it behind you. The fence and green gate are there to keep the aforementioned
cattle away from the fragile building. The cattle had done a lot of damage to the exterior walls
and also to the inside the building that took quite a bit of time to repair during the work sessions.
The front door of the PDTP has a black latch but just work the latch, push in and open the door,
and go inside. Now you can explore throughout the rooms inside of the building. Take a look at the
Interpretive Panels, the displays and artifacts. The binder on the table in the back room explains
a lot about the work that was done during the early part of the restoration process. Feel free to
explore the outside area both inside and outside of the fence. Just keep in mind that snakes love
the desert also.
Take many photos and spend as much time as you wish at our historic preservation project, and take
a minute or two to stand, listen to the wind and reflect on the millions who passed by here in
their old flivvers on their way west and to a hopefully better life in California, in "The Land
of Milk and Honey." Please make sure to latch the front door as you leave as well as the green
fence gate out front.As you leave the PDTP and head back east down old Route 66 take a quick and
safe glance back down the old road and again imagine what travel must have been like when the
the PDTP was an active business, and oasis in the middle of nowhere, when traffic was measured
in the thousands of cars that passed by each day.
Please be sure to close the internet lock the main gate behind you as you head back toward I-40
and back to the mindless rush of hundreds of folks "going somewhere" and how sad it is that
they are just minutes away from a very historic and hidden place with so much history that it is
humbling to learn of this important artifact of Arizona Historic Route 66! Kudos to the 9 owners
of the Route 66 Co-Op who banded together and formed a huge plan to save the PDTP for you and
for all Route 66 Travelers and especially for our future generations! Please consider sending
a small monitary access donation for our continued taxes, insurance, maintenance and for upkeep
of this historic property, Your Tax-Deductible Donation to the Route 66 Co-Op (a 501(c)3 non-profit)
is quick and easy. Simply use this LINK to our secure PayPal site. It is for a noble cause, and
we are grateful for whatever you are able to contribute! Thank You for visiting a place very dear to us!
PAINTED DESERT TRADING POST Phase 5 WOMEN'S TEAL COLORED X-LARGE T-SHIRT:
ONE (1) LEFT! - $29.99 + sales tax with Standard Shipping Included (Within the US Only)
FRONT - Sand color not available
PAINTED DESERT TRADING POST Phase 5 WOMEN'S ASH COLORED LARGE T-SHIRT:
ONE (1) LEFT! - $29.99 + sales tax with Standard Shipping Included (Within the US Only)
RESCUE CELEBRATION COMMEMORATIVE MAGNET SET - FIVE (5) - 2.25" DIAMETER MAGNETS - WITH THE FRONT & BACK DESIGN OF SHELLEE GRAHAMS T-SHIRT DESIGN, A PRE RESCUE & A POST RESCUE MAGNET WITH THE DATES & OF COURSE OUR FAMOUS "COLD DRINKS" MAGNET!
$14.99 + sales tax with Standard Shipping Included (Within the US Only)
ORIGINAL PDTP MAGNET SET OF TEN (10) - 2.25" DIAMETER MAGNETS :
ONLY THREE (3) LEFT! - $24.99 + sales tax with Standard Shipping Included (Within the US Only)
PAINTED DESERT TRADING POST "COLD DRINKS" 11" BLUE NEON CLOCK #1:
Blue Neon Wall Clock - only the outside ring is blue neon,the center is colorful artwork. The neon operates on 110 volt electric and the movement operates on a "AA" Battery (not included). Clock has an "in-line" switch and a 72 inch power cord. The face of the clock is glass and comes in the original box. The clock is perfect for a garage, recreation room, home bar, man cave or in a bedroom as a vivid blue night light. RED & WHITE CLOCK FACE - $79.99 + sales tax with Priority Shipping Included (Within the US only)
PAINTED DESERT TRADING POST "COLD DRINKS" 11" BLUE NEON CLOCK #2:
Blue Neon Wall Clock - only the outside ring is blue neon,the center is colorful artwork. The neon operates on 110 volt electric and the movement operates on a "AA" Battery (not included). Clock has an "in-line" switch and a 72 inch power cord. The face of the clock is glass and comes in the original box. The clock is perfect for a garage, recreation room, home bar, man cave or in a bedroom as a vivid blue night light. BLACK & WHITE CLOCK FACE - $79.99 + sales tax with Priority Shipping Included (Within the US only)
Funds raised will benefit the Route 66 Co-Op to further their maintenance efforts at the site.
Please visit & join the Route 66 Painted Desert Trading Post facebook page for info & history.
