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Petrified Forest National Park

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Overview

Petrified Forest National Park was originally designated as a national monument in 1906 to preserve the petrified wood found in the park. However, today the park is recognized for offering so much more than just petrified wood, including a broad representation of the Late Triassic paleo-ecosystem, significant human history, unspoiled scenic vistas, a fragile grasslands ecosystem, and clear night skies. Erosion has sculpted and molded intriguing landforms throughout the park. The flat-topped mesas, colorful badland hills, and sculptured buttes of the Painted Desert make a scenic backdrop for the many unique geologic formations and fossils found in the park. The surrounding environment of native grassland is just as captivating, and visitors are sure to be impressed by this diverse landscape.

To learn more about Petrified Forest National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
The Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum are open year round except on Christmas Day. Hours vary by season. Visit the park's website to see current hours of operation. The Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Visiting Tips

Petrified Forest National Park is open 364 days a year. Hours vary by season, and the park is closed on Christmas Day. To see the current hours of operation for the park road, click here. Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time and remains on Mountain Standard Time year round. Visitors should come prepared for a wide range of temperatures as the park experiences temperatures that range from above 100 degrees to well below freezing.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
There are no campgrounds or lodging in the park, and parking overnight is prohibited. Visit the park's website for information on camping outside of the park and other overnight accomodations in the nearby communitities.

Backcountry Camping:
Backpacking is allowed within the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. A free permit is required and permits may be obtained in person at either the Painted Desert Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn, or Rainbow Forest Museum, at least an hour before the park closes.

Food & Drink

The park operates two gift shops, a convenience store, a gas station, and a restaurant. Hours vary seasonally for these locations. Call (928) 524-3756 for further information.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Petrified Forest National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free and open to the public. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

Other Activities

Whether strolling one of the short maintained trails, heading into the backcountry, horseback riding through the impressive landscape, or simply taking in the views of the badlands, buttes, and mesas on a drive along the main road, visitors will not be disappointed by the variety of ways to explore the park. For visitors looking for other adventures in the area, head up the road to Flagstaff for some great options for mountain biking and rock climbing.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Petrified Forest National Park - 4

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite View of rock art

Newspaper Rock

(18) Holbrook, AZ
gem Favorite Remains of native buildings.

Puerco Pueblo

(10) Holbrook, AZ
gem Favorite Jasper Forest- Petrified Forest National Park

Old Faithful

(12) Holbrook, AZ
gem Favorite Agate Bridge

Agate Bridge

(11) Holbrook, AZ

Recommended Routes in Petrified Forest National Park - 3

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Blue Mesa View- Petrified Forest National Park
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Blue Mesa Trail

0.8 mi 1.3 km 29' Up 8.88 m Up 121' Down 36.93 m Down

Holbrook, AZ
Explore in 3D
Favorite Crystal Forest in the sunset
Easy Easy

Crystal Forest Trail

0.9 mi 1.4 km 38' Up 11.68 m Up 38' Down 11.7 m Down

Holbrook, AZ
Explore in 3D
Favorite Jasper Forest- Petrified Forest National Park
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Giant Logs Trail

0.4 mi 0.7 km 33' Up 9.99 m Up 33' Down 9.96 m Down

Holbrook, AZ
Explore in 3D

Petrified Forest National Park Hiking

  • 5 Miles 8 Kilometers of Trail
  • 3 Recommended Routes
  • 4 Gems Gems
  • 11 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 3 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

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Trails in Petrified Forest National Park - 11

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

0.0 mi 0.1 km #1Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument Access Trail
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
0.2 mi 0.4 km #2Puerco Pueblo
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
0.5 mi 0.8 km #3Painted Desert Rim Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ
0.7 mi 1.1 km #4Long Logs Trail
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
Easy Easy
Holbrook, AZ
2.1 mi 3.4 km #5Onyx Bridge Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ
Intermediate Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ
0.4 mi 0.7 km #6Agate House Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Holbrook, AZ

Photos of Petrified Forest National Park - 62

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Crystal Forest in the sunset
Sep 9, 2015 near Holbrook, AZ
Logs.
Jan 15, 2016 near Holbrook, AZ
Log.
Jan 15, 2016 near Holbrook, AZ
Petrified National Forest, little guy catching the rays.
Aug 19, 2016 near Holbrook, AZ
Jasper Forest- Petrified Forest National Park
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
Blue Mesa View- Petrified Forest National Park
Apr 3, 2020 near Holbrook, AZ
There are many colorful petrified specimens on this trail. The detailed features of the bark and grains in the wood are preserved exceptionally well.
Jan 31, 2021 near Holbrook, AZ
At the Agate House
Mar 13, 2023 near Holbrook, AZ
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