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Petrified Forest National Park sits on the high desert plateau of northeastern Arizona, straddling Interstate 40 roughly 25 miles east of Holbrook. The park protects one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood — ancient logs that fell roughly 225 million years ago during the Late Triassic period and were slowly replaced by quartz crystals over geologic time.
Beyond the famous logs, the park encompasses a sweeping section of the Painted Desert in its northern half, where banded badlands of purple, red, orange, and cream sediments shift color dramatically with the light. The landscape is largely treeless and open, giving visitors a sense of raw geological time.
The park is also significant for archaeology and paleontology. Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs, ruins, and artifacts are scattered throughout, and the park's rock layers have yielded important Triassic-era fossils including early dinosaur relatives. It is one of the few U.S. national parks that contains a designated wilderness area.
Before You Go
Entry Fees
The park charges an entrance fee; verify current rates at the official National Park Service website (nps.gov/pefo) before your visit, as fees are updated periodically. The America the Beautiful annual pass (Interagency Pass) is accepted and may offer good value if you plan to visit multiple national parks or federal lands.
What to Pack
- Sun protection is essential: sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-rated sunglasses. Shade is scarce throughout the park.
- Carry more water than you think you need. The high desert air is dry, temperatures can spike, and hydration needs rise quickly.
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes are recommended for any off-road walking on uneven, rocky terrain.
- Layers are useful: mornings and evenings can be noticeably cooler than midday, especially in spring and autumn.
Regulations
It is a federal offense to remove petrified wood, fossils, or any natural or cultural objects from the park. Penalties are serious. Certified petrified wood is sold legally at shops outside the park if you want a souvenir piece.
Visas
For entry requirements into the United States, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the U.S. Department of State or your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Getting There
By Car
The park is most practically reached by private vehicle. The main north entrance (Painted Desert Visitor Center) is directly off Interstate 40 at Exit 311, about 25 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona. The south entrance, near the Rainbow Forest Museum, is accessible via US-180 from Holbrook. The 28-mile park road connects both entrances, so visitors can enter one end and exit the other — plan your route accordingly.
By Air
The nearest commercial airports with regular service are Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (about 115 miles west) and Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico (roughly 175 miles east). Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately 200 miles to the southwest and offers the broadest flight options. A rental car is strongly advisable from any of these airports.
By Train or Bus
Amtrak's Southwest Chief route stops in Flagstaff and in Gallup, New Mexico — both are reasonable driving distances from the park but require a rental car or other private transport to reach the park itself. There is no regular public bus service to the park. Verify current Amtrak schedules at amtrak.com.
Getting Around
The park's 28-mile scenic road is the primary way to get around. It runs north to south (or south to north) with designated pullouts and trailheads along the way. There is no shuttle service within the park, so a private vehicle is effectively required.
Most viewpoints and short trails branch directly off the main road. Some areas, particularly around the Painted Desert Rim in the north and the Rainbow Forest and Giant Logs Trail in the south, involve only short, relatively flat walks. Longer backcountry hiking into the wilderness area requires a free permit available at the visitor centers.
Cycling is permitted on the park road, though the distances, exposed conditions, and vehicle traffic make it a demanding undertaking. There are no bicycle rentals inside the park.
Where to Stay
There are no lodging facilities inside Petrified Forest National Park itself. The park does permit wilderness camping with a free backcountry permit, but this is primitive camping with no water, toilets, or facilities.
Holbrook is the nearest town with motel and hotel accommodations, primarily national chain properties along and near Interstate 40. It is a practical base for a day or overnight visit to the park. Verify current availability and rates directly with properties or through booking platforms before your trip.
Winslow and Flagstaff to the west offer additional accommodation options, including more varied lodging styles in Flagstaff. Flagstaff also makes a reasonable base if you plan to combine a park visit with trips to other northern Arizona destinations.
Things to See & Do
Scenic Drives and Viewpoints
The full 28-mile park road is dotted with numbered pullouts offering views across the Painted Desert and down onto fields of petrified logs. Highlights along the north section include Tawa Point, Kachina Point, and Chinde Point. The south section features Crystal Forest, Jasper Forest, and Blue Mesa.
Short Trails
- Giant Logs Trail (0.4 miles, paved loop): Starts at the Rainbow Forest Museum and passes some of the park's largest petrified logs, including Old Faithful, one of the widest specimens.
- Crystal Forest Trail (0.75 miles, paved loop): A flat loop through a dense scatter of colorful petrified wood.
- Blue Mesa Trail (1 mile loop): Descends into eroded badland hills of blue and gray bentonite clay — one of the more visually dramatic short hikes in the park.
- Painted Desert Rim Trail (1 mile one-way): Connects Tawa Point and Kachina Point with views over the banded desert.
Archaeology
Puerco Pueblo, a partially excavated Ancestral Puebloan site dating to around 1100–1300 CE, sits near the park road and is accessible via a short paved loop. A panel of petroglyphs nearby is one of the more accessible rock-art sites in the park.
Backcountry and Wilderness
The park's wilderness area, divided into northern and southern sections, allows dispersed camping with a free permit from a visitor center. There are no maintained trails; navigation requires map and compass skills. This is a genuine remote-desert experience with no facilities.
Food & Drink
Food options inside the park are limited. A small café operates at the Painted Desert Inn (verify current operating status and hours at nps.gov/pefo before visiting, as seasonal closures occur). The park's gift shops carry snacks and drinks.
For a fuller range of restaurants, most visitors head to Holbrook, roughly 25 miles west of the north entrance on Interstate 40. Holbrook has a standard selection of chain restaurants, diners, and fast food along its main commercial corridor. Winslow, about 55 miles west, has additional options.
Picnicking is permitted at designated areas in the park. Bringing your own food and water is the most reliable strategy, particularly if you plan a full day in the park.
Practical Information
Visitor Centers
The Painted Desert Visitor Center at the north entrance and the Rainbow Forest Museum at the south entrance are the main information hubs. Both carry maps, exhibit space, and ranger staff who can advise on current conditions. A third facility, the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, offers interpretive exhibits in a historic 1920s structure.
Cell Service and Connectivity
Cell coverage inside the park is limited to nonexistent in many areas. Download offline maps and the NPS app content before arrival. Wi-Fi is not available in the park.
Facilities
Restrooms are available at the visitor centers and at several points along the park road. There are no gas stations inside the park — fill your tank before entering.
Accessibility
The main visitor centers, several viewpoints, and the Giant Logs and Crystal Forest trails are paved and accessible to most mobility devices. Check nps.gov/pefo for the current accessibility guide.
Emergency Contacts
In an emergency inside the park, contact park rangers. Dial 911 where cell service permits. Verify park ranger contact numbers at the official NPS site or at the visitor center upon arrival.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure are the most consistent hazards at Petrified Forest. Midday summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) in exposed areas. Carry and actively drink water — at least one liter per hour of activity in warm conditions is a reasonable baseline.
Flash flooding is possible during the monsoon season (roughly July through September). Avoid dry washes and low-lying areas if thunderstorms are building. The park's open terrain means lightning is also a real risk during afternoon storms; descend from elevated viewpoints if storms approach.
The terrain off-trail is uneven and can be slippery, particularly on the clay badlands of Blue Mesa when wet. Footwear with good grip is advisable. Rattlesnakes are present in the park; watch where you step and place your hands.
There are no medical facilities inside the park. The nearest hospitals are in Holbrook and Winslow; verify current facility details locally.
