On our road trip through Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park was one of the destinations. We were intrigued by the colorful badlands there. Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, in our opinion, is one of the more underrated national parks in the US. It is a very unique park with spectacular views of vibrant colorful badlands on one end and jewel-like petrified woods on the other end. In fact, Petrified Forest National Park has the highest concentration of petrified wood in the world. Even though you can visit the park in a couple of hours, to really immerse yourself in this magical landscape, we recommend spending at least a couple of days here.
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What You Need to Know
Petrified Forest National Park's Main Info
- Petrified Forest National Park has specific opening hours. Usually, they are open from 8 am to 5 pm year-round except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This means that you can only be in the park during opening hours. They actually lock up the gates so you’ll need to be driving out before then. For updated park hours, you can check out their website.
- There is a fee to enter the park. However, if you have the Annual Park Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, it is free.
- There are no RV, car, or front country camping or lodges in the park. Also, boondocking, dispersed camping is also not allowed. Backcountry camping is available, however, you will need a permit and you have to camp at least a mile from your vehicle. The permit is free. For more info, click here.
- Pets are allowed everywhere the public can go except inside the buildings. They must be on a leash that is no longer than 6ft at all times. If you bring your pets with you, please make sure to clean up after them.
Other Info
- You can drive through the park in about 45 minutes, however, we recommend spending at least half to a full day here. When we were here, one day was barely enough to see all the main attractions. If you want to do longer, off-the-beaten-path hikes, you’ll need at least 2 days or more here.
- Petrified Forest National Park has two sections that are completely different from each other. The North, starting right before Painted Desert Inn, is a stunning colorful painted desert. The Southern area, starting from the Rainbow Forest Museum, showcases the largest collection of jewel-like petrified woods in the world.
- It is illegal to take any petrified wood with you! Please leave the woods where they belong so future generations can enjoy this place. If you really wanted to own a piece, stop by the gift shops in the park or just outside the southern entrance. These woods that are sold here are not collected within the park boundaries.
- Bring food and tons of water with you. There is no food or water to purchase in the park.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
Since it is in the desert, the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is in the Spring and Fall. The summers can be extremely hot and winters can be very cold. That being said, we visited the park in February, after a big snowstorm, and we loved it! The snow makes this place especially beautiful. If you’re planning to visit Petrified Forest National Park in the summer, make sure to bring plenty of water.
Winter (Dec, Jan & Feb): From 21° F to 49° F, with some chances of snow.
Spring (Mar, Apr & May): From 30° F to 72° F
Summer (Jun, Jul & Aug): From 52° F to 98° F. with July and August having the most rain.
Fall (Sep, Oct & November): From 30° F to 85° F
Point of Interests
Petrified Forest National Park is quite easy to visit. There is only one main road connecting the North Entrance to the South Entrance. Most of everything you want to see is along that road. To make this guide easier, we’ll list the points of interest starting from the North Gate.
Tawa Point Overlook/Painted Desert Rim Trail
Distance: 1 mile R.T. | Elevation Gain: 49 ft| Level: Easy | Time: 30 mins – 1 hour
This 1 mile round trip trail connects the Tawa Point to the historic Painted Desert Inn. It offers the first glimpse of the colorful badlands that Petrified Forest National Park is known for. The trail head starts near the informational signs at the overlook. If you are short on time, you can skip the hike but make sure to spend some time at the overlook.
Painted Desert Inn
Time: 10 – 30 mins
Painted Desert Inn is a national historic landmark. It is steeped in history and remains a testament to the historic legacy of the Petrified Forest National Park. The building structure is quite unique. It is a fine example of Pueblo Revival Style design by Lyle Bennett, one of the best and most sought-after architects in the National Park Service. Bennett was considered a master of the Pueblo Revival Style. Painted Desert Inn now becomes a museum that highlights the building’s history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is closed temporarily, however, you still can walk around the outside and to the beautiful viewpoint behind.
Route 66
Time: 5-15 mins
If you’re a history buff, you might enjoy this quick stop. If you’re not a big fan of history or old rusty things, you can skip this spot. However, this stop is about one of the most important landmarks of the modern era, Route 66. Petrified Forest National Park is the only park among the national parks to contain a section of Historic Route 66. Route 66 was established in 1926, traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles. Nicknamed the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 is not only a road but a symbol of opportunity and adventure to travelers.
There is not much to see here besides an old, rusty 32 Studebaker propped up against the concrete, and traces of the old roadbed can be seen along a line of weathered telephone poles. If you’re looking for an actual Route 66, we recommend driving into Holbrook. There are some fun points of interest there.
Puerco Pueblo
Distance: 0.3 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 30 ft | Level: Easy | Time: 15-30 mins
About 5.5 miles from Route 66, Puerco Pueblo is another fascinating spot for history lovers. There is a short, 0.3-mile loop trail that takes you through the ruins of the ancestral Puebloan people’s village from the 14th century. It’s estimated that at one time, Puerco Pueblo may have been home to about 200 people. Along the way, you can also see well-preserved petroglyphs. One of the interesting petroglyphs is a solar marker. It was used to mark astronomical events during the year, such as summer or winter solstice. For about 2 weeks around June 21, as the sun rises, an interaction of light and shadow passes across the circles of this small, circular petroglyph. There is a big parking lot at the beginning.
Newspaper Rock
Distance: short walk | Time: 10 mins
Newspaper Rock is just down the road from Puerco Pueblo. It is a collection of ancient petroglyphs that can be seen from a vista point. There are over 650 petroglyphs on one big flat rock. Some of them are estimated to be as old as 2,000 years. You cannot get down to the petroglyphs from the parking area or vista points. The petroglyphs are on a big, flat rock at the bottom of the bluff. There is a big parking lot right before the vista. We recommend bringing a binocular or camera with a big zoom.
The Tepees
Time: 5 -10 minutes
You can’t miss the Tepees driving through the park road. From the North entrance, they will be on the left-hand side. The Tepees are two big, colorful Chinle formations that mark the start of the best section of the park, the beautiful vibrant badlands. There aren’t any official parking lots, however, there is a pull-out on the side of the road with an informational sign.
Blue Forest Trail
Distance: 3 miles R.T. | Elevation Gain: 223 ft | Level: Moderate | Time: 1-2 hours
Blue Forest Trail is an off-the-beaten-path trail in Petrified Forest National Park. This means there aren’t any signages to mark this trail. It is 3 miles out and back and is rated moderate. However, you will need good wayfinding skills to find your way around. It is one of our most favorite trails in the park. If you’re adventurous enough to attempt this trail, you’ll be rewarded with a close-up view of the colorful badland hills. The trailhead for Blue Forest is just down the street from the Tepees.
Blue Mesa Trail
Distance: 1 miles R.T. | Elevation Gain: 111 ft| Level: Easy | Time: 30 mins – 1 hour
This is another must in Petrified Forest National Park. It is pretty short, only a 1-mile round trip. It is mostly paved and easy, except for a short steep descent in the beginning. To get here, from the main park road, follow signs for Blue Mesa Drive. This trail is quite breathtaking as it winds around the colorful, blue Chinle formations. You can also connect the Blue Mesa trail with the Blue Forest Trail. Do not attempt this trail if it is muddy. You’ll sink in to the clay.
Agate Bridge
Distance: Short walk | Time: 10 – 15 mins
A short walk will take you to a 110ft petrified log spanning over a gully. This petrified tree was exposed by rivers and streams, millions of years after it was buried. This same water also carved a small gully under this Agate Bridge and will cause its collapse. In 1917, a supported concrete span was constructed in an attempt to preserve the trees. It was interesting to see, however, if you’re short on time, we would skip this.
Jasper Forest
Distance: 2.5 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 177 ft | Level: Moderate | Time: 1-2 hours
Even though you could see petrified woods along the Blue Mesa or Blue Forest trail, Jasper Forest is where you’ll start to see the petrified woods in great concentration. Most people stay at the Jasper Forest overlook. It is alright as far as the view goes. However, if you leave the overlook and head down the off-the-beaten path, it is way more beautiful. Please make sure to have a tracking device with you and do thorough research before attempting off-the-beaten-path trails.
This is a 2.5-mile round trip hike into the Jasper Forest. It is a nice stroll through a beautiful garden of rainbow-colored petrified woods along an old forest road. It’s amazing to see millions of years old trees crystallized into jasper. The amount of detail preserved on the trees is just incredible. You can see centralized knots of wood, age rings, and scratches. This trail is not paved.
Crystal Forest:
Distance: 0.75 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 36 ft | Level: Easy | Time: 15-30 mins
If Jasper Forest is too long of a hike for you, you can check out Crystal Forest. It is only a 0.75 mile round trip on a paved trail. This short trail has everything from long logs, big logs, colorful logs. It is an easy hike, perfect for all skill levels. Crystal Forest is about a 6-mile drive from the Rainbow Forest Visitor Center.
Long Logs and Agate House Loop
Distance: 2.6 miles R.T. | Elevation Gain: 98 ft | Level: Easy | Time: 1-2 hours
Long Logs and Agate House are two separate trails that can be combined together. In fact, we recommend combining them. Altogether, this trail is 2.6 miles. If you’re up for longer hikes, we recommend doing this hike instead of Crystal Forest. Since not many people are doing this trail, you’ll have the place to yourself most of the time. It also takes you to an interesting house built from the petrified woods and the whole trees that have been petrified. Some logs here are as long as 180ft!
Giant Logs Trail
Distance: 0.4 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 36 ft | Level: Easy | Time: 15-30 mins
This trail is a 0.4-mile loop. The trailhead is right behind the Rainbow Forest Museum. If you’re in the area and have time to spare, then go check out the “Old Faithful”. It is a giant petrified tree that measures almost 10 ft across its base. Otherwise, we would skip this trail. Long Logs and Agate House or even Crystal Forest are way better. Giant Logs Trail is too crowded and very developed. Don’t forget to pop inside the museum. They have some cool stuffs inside about the petrified woods.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While you’re at it, go follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our Youtube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
This is our favourite hiking shoes. We use them for canyoneering as well. Lots of traction. Vy’s version.
Dustin’s version for La Sportiva shoes
Make sure to use lots of sunscreens! We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30.
Face sunscreen is also important. We love these tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
You should bring plenty of water on your hikes. Vy loves the Camelback L.U.X.E.
For shorter hikes, the Patagonia Women’s Nine Trails Pack 18L is perfect to hold water and your essentials.
If you want something lighter, we love the packable Patagonia Women’s Houdini® Jacket and Patagonia Men’s Houdini® Jacket
other things to bring
- Full tank of gas
- Lots and lots of water
- A cooler to keep your drink cold during warmer months.
- Bring Lunch and snacks since there won’t be food inside the park. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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