Petrified Forest National Park is a truly underrated place to visit with an absolutely fascinating geological history. It’s hard to believe that this place in the middle of the desert was a tropical climate over 200 million years ago!
My husband, sister, and I visited Petrified Forest National Park on a day trip from Flagstaff, Arizona. I severely underestimated how cool this park is. It’s so much more than just ancient petrified wood scattered all over the ground!
One day is all you need here to thoroughly explore the petrified log trails, colorful sandstone formations, and the Painted Desert scenery.
This post is the ultimate Petrified Forest National Park itinerary and guide. Learn the best time to visit, how to get there, and how to spend your time in the park, all in this blog post!
Petrified Forest National Park Overview
Did you know that Petrified Forest National Park was completely underwater over 200 million years ago? During the Triassic period, this part of Arizona was actually located about where Costa Rica is now. Huge rivers flowed through this humid and tropical region and deposited rocks and trace minerals into the environment.
The trees eventually died off and got washed away in the rivers, creating log jams and getting buried under sediment. The rivers deposited trace minerals into the logs, which produced the striking colors you see today. Over 60 million years ago, tectonic plates lifted the Colorado Plateau up and revealed all of the petrified trees that had been hiding underwater for millions of years.
All 9 fossilized tree species located in the park are extinct.
The petrified wood you’ll see in the park is made up of almost solid quartz. Other trace minerals are responsible for the bright orange, yellow, purple, and blue colors you’ll see.
You will also see some large logs that look like they have been cut into perfectly even pieces. When the Colorado Plateau gradually uplifted, the fossilized trees were under so much stress that they snapped into pieces! Since the quartz making up the fossilized trees is so brittle, it created very clean, smooth fractures that look like someone cut the logs with a chainsaw.
Additionally, Petrified Forest is the only National Park that encompasses part of the original Route 66. Teddy Roosevelt designated this area as a National Monument in 1906, and it later became a National Park in 1962.
Note: Do not take any petrified wood from the park. Please remember that these are ancient fossils that should be preserved for future generations to enjoy. There is a minimum fine of $325 if you are caught stealing wood within the park boundaries. Petrified wood is available for purchase at the many gift shops nearby.
The Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park
The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is in the spring or fall. This area of Arizona is a semi-arid desert, meaning temperatures can be over 100 degrees in the summer and drop below freezing at night in the winter.
July through September is monsoon season at Petrified Forest where the park often experiences severe thunderstorms, lightning, and flash flooding. I would avoid visiting then, for obvious reasons.
Petrified Forest can also be quite windy, especially in the spring. We were there at the very end of March 2024 and had an extremely windy day. This unfortunately caused us to cut some of our hiking plans short because the wind made being outside much less enjoyable.
Visiting later in the spring before monsoon season or in the fall is best if you want the best weather. Don’t worry much about the crowds- this was the least crowded place we visited on our entire northern Arizona road trip!
Related: Flagstaff Area National Monuments: How to See Them All in One Day
How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is located on the eastern side of Arizona, about 100 miles east of Flagstaff. It is quite literally in the middle of nowhere, with the closest town being Holbrook.
There is one main road that goes through the park where you can stop at scenic spots and hike short trails. All of the attractions are located off of this road. You can enter the park from the north off I-40 or south off of US-180.
Albuquerque and Phoenix are your closest airports to get to Petrified Forest, but they are still 3 and 3.5 hours away, respectively. Since it only takes a day to thoroughly visit here, I recommend visiting on a longer Arizona road trip to maximize your time out west.
Here are driving distances and times to Petrified Forest from popular nearby destinations:
- Phoenix, AZ: 203 miles / 3.5 hours
- Flagstaff, AZ: 109 miles / 1.5 hours
- Albuquerque, NM: 208 miles / 3 hours
- Grand Canyon South Rim: 191 miles / 3 hours
- Monument Valley, AZ: 186 miles / 3 hours
Related: The Ultimate 9-Day Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
Fees & Passes Information
It will cost $25 per vehicle to enter Petrified Forest National Park and the pass is good for 7 days. The park is open from 8 am to 5 pm year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If you plan to visit more than 3 National Parks or Monuments on your trip to Arizona (or within one year), getting the America the Beautiful National Park Pass will save you money vs. paying the separate fees at each park. It costs $80 and you must order ahead of time as they will ship you a physical pass.
Related: Grand Canyon South Rim Itinerary: How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days at the Grand Canyon
How Many Days Do You Need in Petrified Forest National Park?
You only need one day to visit Petrified Forest National Park to thoroughly explore all that it offers. You can even see all the highlights in just half a day.
Petrified Forest is more of a drive-through park where you’ll make your way down the road and stop at different viewpoints and do short hikes along the way.
Pro Travel Tip: I recommend starting your day by entering from the south and making your way north, because the scenery going this way gets better and better as you go. You’ll end the day with gorgeous views of the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area.
1-Day Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary
Petrified Forest is one of the few National Parks that actually closes its gates at night. The park is open from 8 am to 6 pm year-round, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. So much petrified wood has been stolen at night that they had to implement this policy to protect the natural resources.
8-6 is plenty of time to explore the park, so don’t worry about not getting to see everything!
I also recommend packing a lunch and snacks to bring with you because there aren’t any restaurants located inside the park.
The map below shows a high-level overview of the main attractions.
Morning
Start your day at Petrified Forest by entering the park at the south entrance. Stop by the Rainbow Forest Museum and check out the exhibits, gift shop, and the park movie that explains the geology of the area.
Behind the museum is the Giant Logs Trail. This short trail features some of the largest petrified logs in the park.
When you’re finished walking the Giant Logs Trail, head for the Long Logs Trail nearby. This trail has some of the (you guessed it!) longest logs in the park. You’ll also get a view of some of the grey and purple badlands that are located in the park.
The entire trail is 1.6 miles round trip, but the first half-mile is paved and accessible. You don’t need to walk this entire trail to get a feel for it, so check out the paved portion and then continue on your way.
The Crystal Forest Trail will be your next stop and features some colorful petrified wood in an easy, 0.75-mile loop trail. The views out across the badlands at the back of the trail are phenomenal.
Next, you’ll stop by the Jasper Forest Overlook. This is an area of the park where you’re allowed to wander around off-trail if you wish. You won’t have a ton of time here to do this, so grab some quick photos and jump back in the car to head for your next stop.
Make a quick stop at the Agate Bridge, a 100-foot long petrified log spanning the length of a gulley.
Midday
Head for the Blue Mesa Scenic Drive next. This was my absolute favorite area of the park!
Immerse yourself in the purple, blue, and pink striped bentonite clay badlands and hoodoos. The scenic drive is only 3.5-miles long and is one way, so it’s a quick visit.
If you’re doing well on time and want to continue hiking, spend the afternoon hiking the Blue Mesa and/or Blue Forest Trails.
The Blue Mesa Trail is a 1-mile loop trail through the bentonite clay badlands. The Blue Forest Trail extends off of the Blue Mesa Trail and will extend your hike for a total of 2.4 miles.
The Blue Forest Trail isn’t very well marked, so download the trail map ahead of time if you’re worried about getting lost. You’ll hike down below the Blue Mesa and wander among the badland hills.
We unfortunately didn’t do either of these hikes because of the high winds, and I was quite sad about it. Most people say the Blue Forest Trail was their favorite part of Petrified Forest, so if you’re up for one longer hike during your visit, I would choose this one.
Afternoon
When you’re done hiking, make quick stops at the Teepees, Newspaper Rock, and Puerco Pueblo.
Next, you’ll come to the Route 66 Studebaker and the beginning of the Painted Desert.
Back in its heyday, Route 66 stretched 2200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through Petrified Forest National Park. This part of the original route was decommissioned in 1958, due to better infrastructure being constructed throughout the US.
The old Studebaker marks the spot of the original Route 66 to pay homage to the past. The old telephone lines also mark the path of the original road. They say this is the most photographed abandoned car in the country, so you can’t miss it!
Your final stop in Petrified Forest National Park is the Painted Desert Inn and Kachina Point.
The Painted Desert Inn is now a National Historic Landmark but it used to be a hotel back in the heyday of Route 66. There are some neat museum displays, a gift shop, and an ice cream parlor inside.
Kachina Point is a gorgeous viewpoint that overlooks the red part of the Painted Desert. It’s located behind the Painted Desert Inn.
Kachina Point also marks the beginning of the Painted Desert Rim Trail. This is a scenic route that connects Kachina Point to Tawa Point. The round trip hike is 1.2 miles and is relatively flat. Hike it if you want to, or take in the views and continue on your way.
Evening
Exit the park and head to Winslow for a quick dinner stop before heading back to your accommodations for the night (don’t forget to “stand on the corner!”).
That wraps up your 1-day Petrified Forest National Park itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Petrified Forest National Park
Since Petrified Forest is in the middle of nowhere, there aren’t a lot of amenities nearby. I recommend staying in Flagstaff and making a day trip out to Petrified Forest while on a longer trip to Arizona. Flagstaff also puts you much closer to some of northern Arizona’s best attractions, like the Grand Canyon, Page, and Sedona.
It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from Flagstaff to Petrified Forest, but there are lots of hotels, restaurants, breweries, and cool shops here to make a comfortable and fun home base for exploring northern Arizona.
If Flagstaff is a bit too far for you and you’d like to stay closer, Holbrook and Winslow have some quirky, Route 66-esque hotels that would make for a fun stay. Here are some options:
- The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook: This is the hotel that the movie Cars modeled “Sally’s Cozy Cone Motel” off of. There are single and double bed options with private bathrooms along with larger apartment-style wigwams if you’re traveling as a family. This is a super cool place to stay with reasonable rates, plus the added nostalgia factor.
- The Winslow in Winslow: Modern hotel with a bar, fitness center, and common areas with games.
- Best Western Plus Winslow Inn in Winslow: Clean, basic accommodations with free continental breakfast.
Camping at Petrified Forest National Park
Camping of any kind is not allowed within the boundaries of Petrified Forest National Park.
However, you can backpack in the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area to the north of the park. Grab a free backpacking permit from one of the visitor’s centers on the day you want to backpack.
Beware that in order to spend the night here, you have to hike at least half a mile away from your vehicle.
There are private campgrounds located in the surrounding towns as well.
Top Things to Do in Petrified Forest With Limited Time
If you only have a half-day or less to spend, here are the top experiences I would prioritize:
- Rainbow Forest Museum & Giant Logs Trail
- Crystal Forest Trail
- Blue Mesa Scenic Drive
- Blue Forest Trail (if you have time)
- Kachina Point + other Painted Desert Viewpoints
- Painted Desert Inn
You can do all of these items and still stop at all of the other points of interest since they are located right off the road and don’t require a hike.
Petrified Forest National Park FAQs
Can You Take Home Petrified Wood?
Removing petrified wood from the National Park is strictly prohibited. If you get caught, you will be fined at least $325. Please don’t be that person and leave the park the way you found it.
Petrified wood is available for purchase at one of the many surrounding gift shops. However, we found that most of the petrified wood in the gift shops isn’t even from this area of Arizona!
My suggestion is to leave no trace and take some photos back home with you instead.
Can You Visit Petrified Forest in One Day?
You can absolutely visit Petrified Forest in one day. The park is compact with one main road connecting all of the viewpoints. Start at one end of the park and slowly make your way through it, stopping for photos and hiking along the way.
Is Petrified Forest National Park Worth Visiting?
Petrified Forest National Park is definitely worth visiting! This is one of the largest concentrations of colorful petrified wood and the colors in the surrounding badlands and Painted Desert are breathtaking.
Since Arizona has so many top travel destinations, Petrified Forest often gets overlooked, which means that the crowd levels are low. You won’t have any issues with traffic, finding parking, or being on super crowded hiking trails.
For comparison, the Grand Canyon sees over 5 million visitors per year while Petrified Forest gets less than 650,000.
If You Have More Time
If you find yourself in this part of Arizona with more time and want to check out some other nearby attractions, here are my suggestions:
METEOR CRATER NATURAL LANDMARK: Yes, Meteor Crater Natural Landmark is exactly what you think it is: a 600-foot deep crater caused by an iron-nickel meteorite. This site is on private land, so you will need to purchase a ticket for a guided rim tour and to visit the attached Barringer Space Museum. Meteor Crater is about an hour west of Petrified Forest and will be on your way if you’re coming from Flagstaff. We loved this tour and actually visited on our way to Petrified Forest from Flagstaff. Tickets and more info can be found here.
“STANDIN’ ON THE CORNER” IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA: Whether or not you plan to stay near Petrified Forest on your visit, a quick stop in Winslow is worth it, especially if you’re a fan of The Eagles. This little town has really made “Take it Easy” their entire identity, coupled with the perfect photo spot of “standin’ on the corner.” There are some fun restaurants and gift shops here too.
I hope after reading this post that you’re just as excited about Petrified Forest as I am! This is a truly unique area of Arizona that doesn’t have the large crowds.
Let me know if you plan on visiting Petrified Forest in the comments down below!
-Megan
More Info on Northern Arizona
ARIZONA ROAD TRIP: This 9-day northern Arizona road trip that starts and ends in Phoenix takes you to Sedona, The Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and more!
THE GRAND CANYON: One of the 7 wonders of the world, a trip to the Grand Canyon is a must. Check out my ultimate guide to visiting the Grand Canyon South Rim or learn how to visit the Grand Canyon in the winter.
FLAGSTAFF, AZ: Located in the heart of northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a neat little town that makes a great home base for exploring the nearby attractions. There are 3 incredible National Monuments within an hour drive, Lowell Observatory, and plenty of other things to do. Make sure to check out the brewery trail while you’re in town!
PAGE, AZ: Page makes a perfect long weekend destination and is packed with famous attractions like Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and more. Check out the top 12 things to do in Page to help you plan your visit!
SEDONA, AZ: Sedona has some of the best hiking trails I’ve ever seen. It makes a great stop on your way to or from the Phoenix airport or a day trip from Flagstaff. Check out my list of the top 10 hikes in Sedona, hike the Devil’s Bridge Trail or the Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK: Located in Tucson, walk among the nation’s largest cacti. It is a 5 hour drive south from Petrified Forest.
MONUMENT VALLEY: Incredible scenic drive full of sandstone buttes where many famous movies were filmed. It’s located 3 hours north of Petrified Forest and will be on your way to Moab, Utah. Check out my guide to Monument Valley for more details on how to visit!
