A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood. Spanning more than 200 million years of geologic history, the park protects ancient fossils, ancestral Puebloan sites, habitat for desert animals, and a sweeping stretch of historic Route 66.
221.4Kacres of parkland
316Krecreation visits, 2025
May · Jun · Sepnearby climate picks
Seasonal access & reservations
No reviewed guidance for this selection. Check the park's official planning pages; missing coverage does not establish access.
Selected guidance only; separate from climate comfort and current conditions.
Official conditions Not checked
The conditions feed has not been connected for this park.
Allow 1 day for a first look. A useful base: Holbrook.
The main road is a through route; plan entry and exit directions. Leave all petrified wood and artifacts in place.
A day-by-day starting point
01
DAY 1
Painted Desert & ancient wood
Drive the main park road with time at visitor exhibits, Painted Desert viewpoints, and established petrified-wood walks. Check the day's operating hours.
Editorial recommendations, reviewed 2026-10-17. Full park days, excluding travel to and from the region. A first-visit outline for a general traveler; adapt to mobility, fitness, season, reservations, and current conditions. These are suggested days, not reserved activities or guaranteed routes.
Know before you go! Check for current status and operating hours of the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
The Painted Desert Visitor Center found in the historic Painted Desert Community Complex is currently closed for construction but the following amenities are still available:
Short loop walking trail with signs exploring park points of interest
Trailhead for the Tawa Trail
Plants of the historic plaza
Postal drop box
Picnic pavilion
Public restrooms
Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark
Located at Kachina Point, 2 miles (3.2 km) from the north entrance at exit #311 off of I-40. The inn once served as a respite for travelers along historic Route 66. The Painted Desert Inn serves as the north visitor center and services include:
Visitor Information and Orientation
Museum and Gallery Space
Ice Cream Parlor
Sweeping desert vistas
Access to Painted Desert Rim Trail and Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
Rainbow Forest Museum
Located in the Rainbow Forest Complex near the southern entrance station, the museum is housed in one of many historic buildings in the park. Visitors can find the following amenities:
Visitor information, orientation, and backcountry permits
Paleontological exhibits complete with skeleton displays of prehistoric animals
Access to Giant Logs, Long Logs, and Agate House Trails
There are a variety of exhibits throughout the park, taking whatever shape and form they need to best share resources and stories. Even if you cannot visit the park in person, you can check out some of the newly installed exhibitry...
NPS/Stephanie Metzler
Check out a past artist-in-residence exhibition: Postcards from the Iron Camera
Faces of the Petrified Forest
Artists-in-Residence Mary Collins and Susan McElhinney teamed up on an exhibition of words and prose highlighting the people that make Petrified Forest special.
Interpretive Waysides
Petrified Forest staff completed a large project to update all the roadside informational panels, called waysides . The signs needed some maintenance, as well as an update of information. In a park with so much active research, we want to share the latest discoveries with visitors. Over 50 waysides are located along the roads and trails throughout the park explaining the landscape and covering a variety of topics specific to their locations.
Petrified Forest National Park Audio Tour, North Version | PEFO Audio Tour North Stop 1
Welcome to Petrified Forest National Park originally set aside to protect late Triassic fossil trees. Petrified forest remains one of the most unique parks in the country located in the surreal landscapes of the painted desert region. Petrified Forest is best known for its petrified wood but also preserves and protects millennia of human history. the endangered native Arizonan grassland, dark night skies, and very active research.
This tour will enable you to discover some of the stories of Petrified Forest National Park. There are two versions depending on where you enter the park. One starting on the south off of Highway 180, the other beginning in the north off of Interstate 40. The stops in between remain basically the same merely in reverse order. You have the ability to stop and start this tour at any time while you progress through the tour. Park activities in addition to this audio tour will be suggested, however, you are the ultimate decision maker. Don't worry if your visit doesn't include every suggested activity. Every visitor's motivation for coming to petrified forest is different and whether you hike into the wilderness or not, we're happy you're here.
Different times of year provide different challenges from ice and snow in the winter to heat and dehydration in the summer. Please be prepared for adverse weather and always bring plenty of water. Be sure to take some time to chat with a staff member at either of the two visitor centers to customize your experience based on your needs, interests, and abilities.
Instructions Listen to the audio tour. As you drive through the park, you can stop the tour at any point if you would like to walk a trail or take in the view at an overlook. Please follow the posted speed limits and watch for wildlife crossing the road. There is no removal or disturbing natural and cultural resources in the park whether that's petrified wood, pot shards, flowers, or super cute squirrels.
General welcome to the Petrified Forest National Park Audio Tour with instructions.
The Passport program was started in 1986 by Eastern National Parks Association. It was established to help visitors discover the beauty and history found in America's National Parks. These stamps record the name of the park and the date of your visit. Below you will find images of virtual versions of our passport stamps for you to use as you like!
For more Passport book information, visit Passport to Your National Parks .
The main park road stretches 28 miles (45 km), with spurs and viewpoints along the way. Please follow all traffic laws and drive safely.
• Stay on paved roads. • Observe speed limits, which range between 15 and 45 miles per hour. • Park or stop in designated areas. Do not stop in the middle of the road. • Thank you for not idling your engine for extended periods of time (five minutes during periods of inclement weather, two minutes all other times).
NPS/Hallie Larsen
The main park road stretches 28 miles (45 km), with spurs and viewpoints along the way. Please follow all regulations, be aware of traffic, and ride safely. Ebikes are included in this information. Visit the bicycling page .
One of the best ways to enjoy and experience Petrified Forest National Park is on foot.
Stay on designated trails while in developed hiking areas. Off-trail hiking can damage the fragile grassland environment, disturb wildlife habitat, and/or create unsightly "social" trails.
Pets are allowed on the developed trails. Pets must be kept on leash at all times. Please clean up after your animal. Be sure to get your BARK Ranger certificate!
Bicycles (including ebikes) are not allowed on trails, except for the half mile access trail that leads to the junction between the Long Logs and Agate House Trails.
Most trails are paved and barrier free, but several have grades in excess of ADA requirements. Portions of some trails are deemed accessible. See the descriptions below for more specific information.
If you are looking for off-trail adventures, check out our Hiking page.
NPS/Jacob Holgerson
Tawa Trail Length : 1.2 mile (1.9 km) one way Trailheads : Tawa Point and Painted Desert Visitor Center Enjoy the tranquility of the grassland as the trail leads you from scenic Tawa Point to the Painted Desert Visitor Center. The Tawa Trail is a perfect place to stretch your legs after a long road trip. In Hopi ideology, Tawa refers to the Sun Spirit, the Creator of the World. The Hopi are one of several current Native American groups who are connected to the rich, varied history of Petrified Forest. Groomed surface Elevation gain: 81 ft (24 m) Elevation loss: 28 ft (8.5 m) Accessibility information: Meets standards for outdoor developed areas. Typical grade 2.3% with grades up to 8.3% Typical cross slope: 2% Max cross slope: 5% Typical tread width: 60 in (152.4 cm) No obstacles
Painted Desert Rim Trail Length : 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip Trailheads : Tawa Point and Kachina Point This unpaved trail winds through the rim woodland, a place for chance encounters of many species of plants and animals and spectacular views of the Painted Desert. Tread width: 62 in (158.6 cm), min 60 in (152.4 cm) Grade: 6.3%, max 25.6% Cross Slope: 3.8%, max 16.2% This trail does not have stairs, but the waterbars and dirt-gravel surface may make this trail unsuitable for strollers or mobility vehicles.
Puerco Pueblo Length : 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop Trailhead : Puerco Pueblo parking area A paved walk amidst the remains of a hundred room pueblo, occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people over 600 years ago. Petroglyphs can be viewed along the south end of the trail. Please do not climb on the boulders or walls and do not touch the petroglyphs. Suitable for strollers and various mobility equipment (power and manual), except on short trail spur
Blue Mesa Length : 1 mile (1.6 km) loop Trailhead : Blue Mesa sun shelter Descending from the mesa, this alternately paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among badland hills of bluish bentonite clay as well as petrified wood. Numerous plant and animal fossils have been found by paleontologists in the sedimentary layers of Blue Mesa. Steep grade at beginning of trail
Crystal Forest Length : 0.75 mile (1.2 km) loop Trailhead : Crystal Forest parking area Named for the presence of beautiful crystals that can be found in the petrified logs, this trail offers one of the best opportunities to experience the petrified wood deposits. Please leave the petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff. Tread width: 71 in (179.8 cm), min 65 in (165.1 cm) Grade: 5.2%, max 22.5% Cross Slope: 2.2%, max 11.3%
Giant Logs Length : 0.4 mile (0.6 km) loop Location : Behind Rainbow Forest Museum Trail guide available at Rainbow Forest Museum Giant Logs features some of the largest and most colorful logs in the park. "Old Faithful", at the top of the trail, is almost ten feet wide at the base! This paved trail has several sets of stairs and may not be suitable for strollers or mobility equipment. Tread width: 57 in (145.6 cm), min 48 in (121.9 cm) Grade: 4.8%, max 19.1% Cross Slope: 2.5%, max 13.4%
Long Logs Length : 1.6 mile (2.5 km) loop Trailhead : Rainbow Forest Museum parking area Long Logs is one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the park. Explore this ancient log jam at the base of gray badlands. Please leave petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff. The first half-mile of this trail is paved and suitable for mobility equipment and strollers. Strollers may be negotiated on the loop, but it is not recommended for most wheelchairs and other mobility equipment due to its narrow turns and rough surface. Stairs to shade shelter can be avoided. Tread width: 85 in (216 cm), min 50 in Grade: 3.5%, max 20.5% Cross Slope: 2.9%, max 17.4%
Agate House Length : 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip Trailhead : Rainbow Forest Museum parking area Archeologists believe that this small pueblo was occupied for a short time about 700 years ago. Agate House was an eight room home with entered through the ceiling. Please leave any archeological artifacts for all to enjoy. Do not climb or sit on site walls. Due to physical safety concerns, Agate House is closed to the public; visitors must stay a minimum of 15’ away from the structure. The first half-mile of this trail is paved and suitable for strollers and various mobility equipment (power and manual). The rest of the trail may be negotiated over rough surface. Tread width: 75 in (191.3 cm), min 60 in (152.4 cm) Grade: 4.1%, max 14.7% Cross Slope: 2.3%, max 10.4%
Depending on staffing, we will have rangers, volunteers, and museum associates available at the Rainbow Forest Museum and Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, and the Painted Desert Visitor Center area. We hope to also keep our staff members out on the trails and at overlooks so please be sure to say hello! In the past we have offered hikes, talks, walks, and touch tables during certain times of the year, too.
NPS/Hallie Larsen
Discover Rangers and Volunteers in the Park!
Petrified Forest Field Institute, a Park Partner
Petrified Forest Field Institute--offered by the non-profit museum association--is proud to offer guided tours and field classes exploring fun and compelling subjects lead by world class guides and experts. https://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ This is not a government website or institution.
Artist-in-Residence Program
In the Artist-in-Residence Program selected artists spend time living and working in the park, sharing their experiences with visitors.
Cultural Demonstration Program
The Cultural Demonstration Program at Petrified Forest National Park provides local artisans with the opportunity to share their cultural and historical connections to the region with park visitors.
Looking for an off-trail adventure? You can hike throughout the park, as long as you are safely and legally parked. (While in developed hiking areas, stay on designated trail though.) There are some closed areas in the park due to safety concerns or fragile areas. Please don't enter these areas. To see the maps for these spots, check here . You can also visit the Superintendent's Compendium which is a great resource for rules and regulations.
Off the Beaten Path
Backcountry hiking offers the opportunity to visit sites seldom seen by most visitors. Ask for a free guide at one of the visitor centers. Some destinations are found off an old road or trail no longer maintained; others may require route finding skills.
Wilderness Area
Designated Wilderness Areas are protected and valued for their untrammeled, natural, undeveloped, and secluded qualities. The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area was one of the first to receive this designation in the National Park System. The Wilderness Act (and our designated Wilderness Area) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. Learn more about what it means to be designated Wilderness.
The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area that has two units: one in the north allowing hikers to roam the red and orange part of the Painted Desert; and one in the south showcasing highly eroded landscapes, badlands, and petrified wood.
Wilderness Recreation Information
No permits are required for day hiking (except for Devils Playground). Day hikers must be back at their vehicles by the park’s posted closing time.
Be prepared! There is no water and little shade in the backcountry.
Follow Leave No Trace principles
Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in Wilderness.
Horses and other pack animals are allowed in Wilderness.
Devil's Playground
This beautiful and remote part of the park is in the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. The landscape is highly eroded into fanciful shapes and banded with gray, purple, and blue. Three permits are available each week starting on Wednesday on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Painted Desert Visitor Center only. You must obtain your permit before noon on the day of your hike. Once the permits run out, new ones will not be available until the next Wednesday. You may call the visitor center at 928 524-6228 x236 to find out the status of these permits but permits cannot be set aside or saved. Please note that visitors take the access road to Devil's Playground at their own risk, particularly in or after inclement weather.
While exploring outdoors, it is tempting to take a small piece of petrified wood, but remember removal of petrified wood or other natural and cultural artifacts found in the park is prohibited by law. Gift shops inside and outside the park sell petrified wood collected from private land outside the park boundaries.
Group camping is limited to 8. Because of the fragile soils and landscape features, minimum impact camping is very important. This includes limiting the number of people within an area.
See LNT.org to learn about the principles of Leave No Trace camping. Rules, Regulations, and Safety Points :
Collection of plants, rocks, petrified wood, fossils, archeological objects or other materials is illegal anywhere in the park.
No bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed in the Wilderness.
No wood or charcoal fires are allowed. Please use fuel stoves.
Bury human waste.
Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trash behind.
Be aware that elevations average 5,800 feet.
Temperatures vary greatly from extreme heat to bitter cold.
Take all water necessary. One gallon per person per day is recommended during summer months.
Bicycle—including ebikes—use is permitted on paved park roads and parking areas open to the public as well as some areas listed below. Be careful along park roads—everyone is looking at the view!
36 CFR §4.30 – BICYCLES (a) Bicycle/e-bike use is permitted on paved park roads and parking areas open to the public. The following routes are closed to bicycle/e-bike use: Paved trails and all park lands not covered by pavement, with the exception of: the unpaved portion of Old Route 66 from the main park road to the east boundary fence the eastern portion of Old Highway 180 in the Rainbow Forest area from its intersection with the main park road to the east boundary the portion of the Long logs trail from its intersection with the main park road, continuing to the trailhead loop area approximately ½ mile up the trail. the trail beginning at the Rainbow Forest Picnic Area, and continuing to the base of the mesa, ending at a loop in the road (approximately 1 mile in length). (b) The term “e-bike” means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.). E-bikes are allowed in Petrified Forest National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited. A person operating an e-bike is subject to the following sections of 36 CFR part 4 that apply to the use of traditional bicycles: sections 4.12, 4.13, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, and 4.30(h)(2)-(5). Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within Petrified Forest National Park is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited. Determination: To prevent injury or damage to park resources and visitors.
Ride for a few hours or a few days! Be prepared, check the weather conditions, and know the limits of yourself and your horse.
Wilderness Area Access
Two miles north of the Painted Desert Visitor Center, is the Painted Desert Wilderness access trail near Kachina Point, on the northwest side of Painted Desert Inn. Here you will find trailer parking and loading/unloading room. Please park your trailer so that it does not interfere with vehicle traffic flow.
Trail Conditions
The first section of switchbacks descend 400 feet (122 m) on an unstable surface, with steep drop-offs. Depending on your capability, you may want to lead your horse down. Once in the Painted Desert there is very little grade change and riding is easy.
There are no maintained trails in the Wilderness Area. To reduce the impact on fragile microbiotic crusts and other delicate resources, travel in dry washes as much as possible.
Summer monsoon rains frequently flood washes making access to some parts of the Wilderness difficult. When wet, the clay soils are slick and tend to accumulate on your feet. Quicksand may be present in washes.
No water is available in the wilderness area. Pack in all water needed for your trip.
For those who wish to stay overnight in the Wilderness Area, a free permit must be obtained from either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. You must be in a designated zone north of Lithodendron Wash before setting up camp. No campsites are maintained in the Wilderness Area. Group camping is limited to 8 people and 4 horses. Go to the Backpacking page for more information.
Rules, Regulation, and Safety
Do not leave horses unattended.
Horses are prohibited on paved trails and paved roads, with the exception of park service horses on patrol.
Feed must be certified weed-free.
Clean up after horses when in developed areas.
Pack it in, pack it out. Leave no trash behind.
Collection of plants, rocks, petrified wood, fossils, archeological objects, or other materials is illegal anywhere in the park.
No bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed in the wilderness area.
Be aware that elevations average 5,800 feet. Temperatures vary greatly from extreme heat to bitter cold.
Take all water necessary. One gallon per person per day is recommended during the summer months. For overnight trips, take enough water for your horses, too.
1. Parking is available at or near each coordinate.
2. As with all park visitors, you are required to pay the park entrance fee at the park entrance stations. The Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass or the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, or Volunteer Pass can be used in lieu of paying the entrance fee. There is no fee to participate in the Geocache Program.
3. Caches are only available during park operating hours .
4. At the EarthCache sites, there are no physical caches to be found. You do not need to find a physical box to continue the program. Instead you will be required to search for hidden clues and respond to the requirements of the creator of the EarthCache.
5. The physical caches contain a container and a log book. Please place these containers back exactly as they were found for the next participant.
Traditional Caches (physical)
Did you know that Petrified Forest is the only national park that protects a section of Route 66 within its boundaries? Some of the physical geocaches in the park are part of the Historic Route 66 Geocaching Project , a series created by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, and designated as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission. Other geocaches may exist that are not part of that series. All of the physical geocaches in the park are placed and maintained by the National Park Service.
EarthCache (virtual)
An EarthCache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. EarthCaches include a set of educational notes and the details about where to find the location (latitude and longitude). There is no physical geocache involved in an EarthCache! Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage the resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth. For more information about EarthCaches, visit EarthCache.org .
Official NPS features and USGS park boundaries, imported 2026-10-17. An inventory snapshot, not live trail or parking availability.
Loading official park features…
TrailsPoints of interestParkingZoom with buttons or pinch. Toggle layers on the map.
Map coverage varies. Trail names may represent segments, connectors, or shared park units; mapped lines are not a hiking recommendation. Use official conditions and navigation resources before heading out.
Kachina Point Inventory record · 2 source segments; not a route distance.
Native
Unknown
Long Logs Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance.
Asphalt
Hiker/Pedestrian
Puerco Loop Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance.
Asphalt
Unknown
Rim Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance.
Native
Unknown
Tewa Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance.
Native
Unknown
NPS public GIS inventory, imported 2026-10-17. “Existing” is an inventory classification, not confirmation that a trail is open. Segment counts are not route distances. Parking records do not indicate space availability, fees, or accessibility certification. View government source ↗
Climate for Gallup, 107 km from the park reference point. 1991–2020 normals. Source elevation: 1,985 m.
Daytime highNighttime lowOctober: 65° / 42°
Daytime high65°
Precipitation20 mm
Daylight11.1 hrs
Wind12.4 km/h
Mountain, rim, valley, and coastal conditions can differ sharply from the source town. Check park forecasts and current conditions before travel.
Monthly climate data 12 months · °F
Month
High
Low
Rain / snow water
Wet days
Daylight
41°
21°
24 mm
5.6
9.9 h
46°
25°
23 mm
5.2
10.7 h
55°
31°
23 mm
5.7
11.7 h
63°
38°
14 mm
4.0
12.9 h
72°
47°
14 mm
3.7
13.8 h
83°
56°
7 mm
1.7
14.4 h
85°
62°
31 mm
6.9
14.2 h
82°
60°
33 mm
7.4
13.3 h
76°
53°
24 mm
4.4
12.2 h
65°
42°
20 mm
4.1
11.1 h
53°
30°
19 mm
4.1
10.1 h
42°
22°
25 mm
4.8
9.6 h
RESEARCH WITH THE SOURCE IN VIEW
The practical field guide.
Official NPS excerpts imported 2026-10-17. Fees, permits, road access, and operations can change; use the source link to confirm the latest information.
Current Conditions Details about park Alerts and links will take you to road conditions in the region. Pets Petrified Forest even starts with "pet"! We are one of the most animal friendly parks. Bring your leashed pet any place you are allowed to go except into the buildings. You can even take Fluffy on a trail or backpack overnight with Spot! Goods & Services There are bookstores, gift shops, convenience store, gas station, and grab and go food/diner in the park. If you can't find what you need here, there are communities nearby with plenty of amenities.
There is no RV, car, or front country camping in the park. There is no boondocking, dispersed or “primitive” camping, or just pulling off into a parking area. There is only backpacking/hiking into the designated Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area to spend the night in the park, at least a half mile from your vehicle. Please be prepared for this adventure! The backpacking wilderness permit is free. You may obtain it in person from either visitor centers on the day that you want to backpack. Each vehicle must have a permit. The permits are available until 4:30 pm. There are private campgrounds throughout Navajo and Apache Counties, in and around Holbrook, Sun Valley, St. Johns, Joseph City, and other communities.
Nearby national park sites with campgrounds:
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
El Morro National Monument
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
The National Forest Service maintains great campgrounds in:
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Coconino National Forest .
Nearby Arizona and New Mexico State Parks include:
Blue Water State Park
Homolovi State Park
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Lyman Lake State Park
Visit www.recreation.gov for information and reservations for public lands
Petrified Forest has much to offer all visitors—limitless views, a fascinating geologic story, some of the cleanest air in the United States, and an enthralling human history. The park also features rugged terrain and historic buildings that may offer challenges to visitors with disabilities. Many of the facilities in Petrified Forest were built before current accessibility standards were set. Visitors with mobility or sight challenges may need assistance. Inquire at visitor centers for specifics. Protective walls and railings are intermittent.
The National Park Service and park concessioners are working to improve access for all visitors. We want everyone to enjoy their visit and come back to see us!
One project was the ramp put in at Rainbow Forest Museum, a building originally built in 1931. Native sandstone was used for the project.
Learn about the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands Access Pass which provides a wide range of discounts on activities and services when you visit federal lands.
20 minute Opened Captioned (OC) film shown every half hour
Touch tables for hands-on exploration of artifacts, fossils, and other items from the park
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Painted Desert Diner
Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark
Hózhó Point picnic area
Rainbow Forest Museum
Rainbow Forest Curio Shop
Trails Most trails are paved and barrier free, but several have grades in excess of ADA requirements. They can be at least partially explored, depending on visitor abilities, and portions of some trails are deemed accessible. See the descriptions on the Trails page for details at each location.
Service Animals Fully-trained service animals are permitted in all park facilities, along park trails, and in the wilderness area. Camping and Picnicking Camping is only allowed in the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, accessed primarily by cross-country hiking. Car camping is not allowed in the park. Camping is available in the surrounding area, check our camping page for more information.
The Hózhó Point picnic area has some accessible sites, including an accessible restroom. The Rainbow Forest picnic area has limited accessibility.
Environmental Conditions
Temperatures vary greatly from extreme heat to bitter cold. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. From July through August expect afternoon monsoon thunderstorms. From October through April expect cold temperatures and possibly snow.
Northeastern Arizona often experiences high winds. Be careful when driving, particularly high profile vehicles such as RVs. When outside your vehicle protect your eyes from sand carried in the wind.
Be aware that elevations average 5,800 feet within the park. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the Arizona sun. The sun's rays are stronger due to the high elevations. Keep hydrated, rest, snack lightly, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes to prevent high altitude sickness. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
Drinking fountains (for people and service animals!) are located at Painted Desert Community Complex and behind Rainbow Forest Museum. Take all the water you will need when traveling through the park and when hiking. Drinking water is not available at stops along the park road. No water is available in the backcountry. One gallon per person per day is recommended during summer months when hiking.
Get an entrance pass All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Pass Price Standard Pass $15.00–$25.00 Annual Pass $45.00 America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$250.00 Help me choose an entrance pass
Plan to go cashless This park does not accept cash.
Choosing an Entrance Pass
Do you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?
If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.
America the Beautiful Pass
How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?
If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance Passes
The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue. You can pay with a debit or credit card only.
Standard Entrance Pass
If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.
Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses .
Private Vehicle $25.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.
Motorcycle $20.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
For Individuals without a Vehicle
If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.
Per Person $15.00
Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.
For Organizations & Businesses
Commercial Sedan (1-6 seats) $35.00–$50.00
$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans) If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Van (7-15 seats) $50.00
Capacity of 7 to 15 passengers - $50 (Vans). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Mini-bus (16-25 seats) $60.00
Capacity of 16-25 passengers - $60 If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Motor Coach (26+ seats) $150.00
Capacity of 26+ passengers - $150 (Large tour buses, motorcoaches). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Non-commercial Group (16+ persons) $15.00
Capacity of 16 or more $15/person. Anyone that is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee, in addition to anyone with a valid pass. A pass may cover immediate family members or up to 4 people traveling with the group. A non-commercial organized group is a group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, or other group that has organized its own itinerary. Fees are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Annual Entrance - Park
Come here often? Consider purchasing an annual pass. The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue.
US citizens and residents
America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
National Park Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Army of Corps of Engineers
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.
How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass
Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.
Purchase and pickup locations
To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.
Skip the wait! Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass through recreation.gov. Your digital pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately.
Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass
2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
May 25 : Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11: Veterans Day
WARNING : Removal of petrified wood or any natural or cultural object is strictly prohibited and punishable by federal law. Make sure all passengers are aware of park regulations and that they follow resource protection and safety guidelines. The tour guides may be held responsible for the actions of their clients.
Pass
Price
Standard Pass
$15.00–$25.00
Annual Pass
$45.00
America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)
FREE–$250.00
I'm visiting...
We recommend
This park, once
Standard Pass
This park, multiple times
Annual Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site
America the Beautiful Pass
Type
Available to
Price
Resident Annual Pass
US citizens and residents
$80.00
Non-Resident Annual Pass
Non-US residents
$250.00
Senior Annual Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$80.00
Military Annual Pass
Current US military and dependents
Free
Military Lifetime Pass
Gold Star Family members and veterans
Free
Access Pass
US citizens and residents with permanent disability
Free
4th Grade Pass
US 4th graders
Free
Volunteer Pass
Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours
Free
Pass
Price
Standard Pass
$15.00–$25.00
Annual Pass
$45.00
America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes)
FREE–$250.00
I'm visiting...
We recommend
This park, once
Standard Pass
This park, multiple times
Annual Pass
More than one national park or federal recreation site
America the Beautiful Pass
Type
Available to
Price
Resident Annual Pass
US citizens and residents
$80.00
Non-Resident Annual Pass
Non-US residents
$250.00
Senior Annual Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass
US citizens and residents 62+ years old
$80.00
Military Annual Pass
Current US military and dependents
Free
Military Lifetime Pass
Gold Star Family members and veterans
Free
Access Pass
US citizens and residents with permanent disability
Free
4th Grade Pass
US 4th graders
Free
Volunteer Pass
Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours
Petrified Forest National Park stretches north and south between Interstate 40 and Highway 180. There are two entrances into the park. Your direction of travel dictates which entrance is more convenient: Westbound Interstate 40 travelers should take Exit 311, drive the 28 miles through the park and connect with Highway 180 at the south end. Travel 19 miles on Highway 180 North to return to Interstate 40 via Holbrook. Eastbound Interstate 40 travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Highway 180 South to the park's south entrance. Drive the 28 miles north through the park to return to Interstate 40.
Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, about 50 miles from the New Mexico border on Interstate 40. There is no public transportation to or within the park.
Nearest major airports are in Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are also smaller airports in Flagstaff and Show Low, Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico. From the airport, you may want to rent a car to drive to the park. For private planes, there is a small airport located in Holbrook, Arizona.
By Private Vehicle
From the north and west side of greater Phoenix travel Interstates 17 North and 40 East, passing through Flagstaff (259 miles).
From eastern side of greater Phoenix travel Highways 87 North to Payson, 260 East to Heber, 377 North to Holbrook, and 180 South to the park (215 miles).
Driving from Albuquerque travel 204 miles west on Interstate 40 to Exit 311.
GPS Coordinates
In this area, a regular map is better than using GPS. GPS doesn't understand the nuances of backroads and vast landscapes with locked gates. The park has two entrances, one off of I-40, the other from Hwy 180, both with obvious entrances.Be aware that some apps outside of NPS.gov don't always accurately locate sites within the park. One app actually places the headquarters in a remote wash out in the backcountry. Please be careful in using GPS units to find our park! Painted Desert Visitor Center and Park Headquarters (North Entrance) Latitude: 35.06543746738773 Longitude: -109.78153824806213
Rainbow Forest Museum (South Entrance) Latitude: 34.81517743163217 Longitude: -109.86576497554779 Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark Latitude: 35.08343319608185 Longitude: -109.78861391544342
Please be careful when you are visiting and follow the safety tips below. We want everyone to enjoy their visit and come back to see us!
Obey posted speed limits for your safety and that of wildlife that may be crossing the road.
Park in designated areas only. Do not stop in the middle of the road.
Do not feed or approach wildlife. This protects the natural feeding and behavior habits of the animals. Animals that beg for food can be aggressive and may bite or harm people. Please do not allow your pets near animals. Do not handle injured or dead animals.
Please stay on trails and behind any barricades. Plants in this environment grow by the inch and are destroyed by the foot. Don't let it be your foot! Fragile soils and animal homes are also easily disturbed.
Avoid cliff edges and steep slopes. Rock surfaces are unstable.
Temperatures vary greatly from extreme heat to bitter cold. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. From July through August expect afternoon monsoon thunderstorms. From October through April expect cold temperatures and possibly snow.
Northeastern Arizona often experiences high winds. Be careful when driving, particularly high profile vehicles such as RVs. When outside your vehicle protect your eyes from sand carried in the wind.
Be aware that elevations average 5,800 feet within the park. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the Arizona sun. The sun's rays are stronger due to the high elevations. Keep hydrated, rest, snack lightly, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes to prevent high altitude sickness. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
Take all the water you will need when traveling through the park and when hiking. Drinking water is available at Painted Desert Community Complex and Rainbow Forest Museum, but not available at stops along the park road. No water is available in the backcountry. One gallon per person per day is recommended during summer months when hiking.
If you are injured or ill while visiting the park, call (928) 524-9126 or contact a ranger.
For lost or found items, contact a ranger at any Visitor Center facility or call the park at (928) 524-6228.
Looking for an off-trail adventure? You can hike throughout the park, as long as you are safely and legally parked. (While in developed hiking areas, stay on designated trail though.) There are some closed areas in the park due to safety concerns or fragile areas. Please don't enter these areas. To see the maps for these spots, check here . You can also visit the Superintendent's Compendium which is a great resource for rules and regulations.
Off the Beaten Path
Backcountry hiking offers the opportunity to visit sites seldom seen by most visitors. Ask for a free guide at one of the visitor centers. Some destinations are found off an old road or trail no longer maintained; others may require route finding skills.
Wilderness Area
Designated Wilderness Areas are protected and valued for their untrammeled, natural, undeveloped, and secluded qualities. The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area was one of the first to receive this designation in the National Park System. The Wilderness Act (and our designated Wilderness Area) celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. Learn more about what it means to be designated Wilderness.
The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area that has two units: one in the north allowing hikers to roam the red and orange part of the Painted Desert; and one in the south showcasing highly eroded landscapes, badlands, and petrified wood.
Wilderness Recreation Information
No permits are required for day hiking (except for Devils Playground). Day hikers must be back at their vehicles by the park’s posted closing time.
Be prepared! There is no water and little shade in the backcountry.
Follow Leave No Trace principles
Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in Wilderness.
Horses and other pack animals are allowed in Wilderness.
Devil's Playground
This beautiful and remote part of the park is in the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. The landscape is highly eroded into fanciful shapes and banded with gray, purple, and blue. Three permits are available each week starting on Wednesday on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Painted Desert Visitor Center only. You must obtain your permit before noon on the day of your hike. Once the permits run out, new ones will not be available until the next Wednesday. You may call the visitor center at 928 524-6228 x236 to find out the status of these permits but permits cannot be set aside or saved. Please note that visitors take the access road to Devil's Playground at their own risk, particularly in or after inclement weather.
While exploring outdoors, it is tempting to take a small piece of petrified wood, but remember removal of petrified wood or other natural and cultural artifacts found in the park is prohibited by law. Gift shops inside and outside the park sell petrified wood collected from private land outside the park boundaries.
Petrified Forest National Park has a North Entrance off Interstate 40 and a South Entrance off Highway 180. Visitors may enter at one end of the park and exit at the other.
Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often violent summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
Petrified Forest National Park at the Weather Channel Petrified Forest National Park at National Weather Service
A FEW REASONS TO GO
A closer look.
65 official park photos
Sunrise and sunset are favorite times to view the colorful Painted Desert of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness AreaNPS Photo Images link to the original government source.Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.NPS Photo Agate House was built over 900 years ago out of pieces of petrified woodNPS Photo Masonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo.NPS Photo/Andrew V. Kearns Visitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.NPS Photo Jasper Forest has some of the most colorful logs in the park.NPS Photo/Andrew V. Kearns A petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo interacts with the sunlight on the summer solstice.NPS Photo This ancient petroglyph of a mountain lion has become an icon of the park.NPS Photo/Stuart Holmes Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands.NPS Photo Iron oxide is one of the many trace minerals that create the color of petrified wood.NPS Photo Petrified Forest is now an International Dark Sky Park!NPS/Jacob Holgerson Visitors use viewfindersNPS
Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both north and south rims.
For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past. This World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth.
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
Canyons
