Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park

The best things to do in Petrified Forest National Park are going to surprise you. Well, at least they surprised me.

I had been wanting to visit Petrified Forest National Park for quite some time and finally found my opportunity. So last weekend my dog Melvin and I spent an entire day exploring this highly underrated national park.

What I loved most about Petrified Forest National Park were the many impressive viewpoints. You can see so much of this park by simply driving along Petrified Forest Road, which cuts through the center of the park.

I was also surprised by just how beautiful this place was. Photos online were impressive, but seeing Petrified Forest in person was just incredible. I have a feeling you’re going to love it too.

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How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona just outside the town of Holbrook. You’ll definitely need a car to visit this park, so plan to rent a vehicle if you don’t already have one.

Below are the driving distances to Petrified Forest National Park from nearby locations.

• Phoenix to Petrified Forest National Park: 3 hours 40 minutes (212 miles)
• Sedona to Petrified Forest National Park: 2 hours 25 minutes (144 miles)
• Flagstaff to Petrified Forest National Park: 1 hour 45 minutes (116 miles)
• Grand Canyon to Petrified Forest National Park: 3 hours 12 minutes (195 miles)
• Tucson to Petrified Forest National Park: 4 hours 45 minutes (259 miles)

Drive times are estimates and will obviously depend on road conditions and traffic.

Since this park can be visited in a single day, it makes a great addition to an Arizona road trip that includes other nearby destinations.

Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park

The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is when the weather is cool. This area of Arizona can experience temperatures into the 90s during June, July and August so plan accordingly.

For the most comfortable experience I recommend visiting Petrified Forest National Park between September to May. During this time temperatures will range from the low 30s to the mid 80s.

It is also important to note that Petrified Forest National Park is only open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is not a 24 hour park.

All park visitors will need to be in their vehicle headed toward the exit by 5:30 p.m. according to signs posted around the park.

I suspect the reason for this is people were stealing the petrified wood once it got dark. You’ll see several signs around the park reminding people not to steal the petrified wood. The rangers also check vehicles on the way out of the park.

That being said, I think 10 hours is more than enough time to spend at Petrified Forest National Park. You’ll surely have time to see all the main attractions during that time frame.

Hotels Near Petrified Forest National Park

The majority of hotels near Petrified Forest National Park will be in the town of Holbrook. Here are a few hotel options to choose from.

• Days Inn by Wyndham Holbrook
• Best Western Arizonian Inn
• Super 8 by Wyndham Holbrook
• Travelodge by Wyndham Holbrook

From the looks of it you’re going to get a similar experience at any of these hotels. I would just book the one with the most affordable rate during your travel dates.

Unless you’re planning to visit other nearby attractions, one night should be sufficient to visit Petrified Forest National Park.

Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park

While one day in Petrified Forest should be enough time for your visit, there are plenty of things to do at Petrified Forest National Park to keep you busy during your trip.

The stops listed below are in order with how you’ll encounter them if you enter the park from the north entrance and drive south along Petrified Forest Road.

Many of the stops below are viewpoints and only need a few minutes to experience. Other stops are short hikes or museum visits, which will require a bit more time.

I recommend planning for at least five hours inside the park. This will leave enough time to see all the viewpoints and walk the paved trails along Petrified Forest Road.

Painted Desert Visitor Center at Petrified Forest National Park

Nestled within the sprawling 346 square miles of Petrified Forest National Park Painted Desert Visitor Center serves as the perfect introduction to the stunning geological formations and ancient artifacts that await visitors.

The center offers an array of interactive exhibits, informative displays, and knowledgeable park rangers ready to share their insights and expertise.

You’ll also find snacks, drinks and restrooms available as well. There is also a gas station here if you forgot to fill your tank before entering the park.

I recommend stopping in the visitor center before exploring the rest of the park. This way you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll see once out exploring the park.

Painted Desert Inn

The Painted Desert Inn is a historic site located on the northern side of Petrified Forest National Park.

It was built in the 1920s as a rest stop for travelers driving Route 66, and boasts a unique blend of Spanish Colonial Revival and Pueblo architecture.

The Inn was initially located on private land, but in 1936, the National Park Service purchased the property and expanded it to include a museum and exhibit space.

Today, visitors can explore the Inn’s history and admire its colorful murals and intricate metalwork.

The Painted Desert Inn was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

The area behind the Painted Desert Inn is also a great place to take in the views of the Painted Desert down below.

There is also a short hiking trail taking you over to a neighboring view point.

Painted Desert Overlooks

As soon as you enter Petrified Forest National Park from the north entrance you’ll be in an area known as the Painted Desert.

This desert region stretches for miles and boasts an array of vivid colors, including deep reds, oranges, and purples. The overlooks in the Painted Desert offer visitors a chance to take in the stunning landscapes and kaleidoscope of colors from above.

As you drive along Petrified Forest Road you’ll encounter several overlooks in this area. I would stop at as many as you like, they’re all impressive.

Route 66

Just past the Painted Desert overlooks you’ll encounter a landmark dedicated to the former alignment of Historic Route 66.

Here you’ll find a vintage 1932 Studebaker and just behind it you can see the line of telephone poles marking the former road bed of Route 66.

This is a short stop but is a great spot for photos if you’re into photography.

Puerco Pueblo

Petrified Forest National Park is home to an array of preserved ancient landscapes, but none quite as unique as Puerco Pueblo.

Located within the park’s wilderness area, Puerco Pueblo was once a thriving community of Ancestral Puebloan people over 800 years ago. It is estimated the site may have been home to over 200 people.

Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved ruins which boast some of the most impressive examples of rock art in the Southwest.

The intricate designs, created using pigments and natural materials, provide a glimpse into the cultural and religious practices of the people who called this place home so long ago.

From the parking area there is a short paved trail leading out to the ruins and petroglyphs.

Newspaper Rock

At first glance, it may seem like just another rock covered in etchings. But a closer look at Newspaper Rock reveals a fascinating history and over 650 petroglyphs.

This ancient petroglyph site showcases a diversity of images, including people, animals, and geometric shapes created by ancestral Puebloan people living, farming, and hunting along the Puerco River between 650 and 2,000 years ago.

The Tepees

The Tepees in Petrified Forest National Park are located in the Blue Mesa section and leave a distinctive mark on the surrounding landscape.

These unique landforms were formed over 200 million years ago during the Late Triassic period, and they continue to fascinate visitors today.

The distinctive shape of the Tepees is due to a combination of factors, including erosion-resistant layers of sandstone and siltstone that make up their outer layers.

Over time, the surrounding softer rock was eroded away by wind and water, leaving behind these towering structures that can reach up to 200 feet in height.

Not only are they visually striking, but they also provide a glimpse into the complex geological history of the park.

You’ll find parking just off the roadway where you can step out and view The Tepees, no hiking necessary.

Blue Mesa Trail

The Blue Mesa Trail was one of my favorite stops in Petrified Forest National Park. You’ll find the trailhead for this one mile loop trail just down the road from The Tepees.

The Blue Mesa Trail offers a captivating glimpse into the unique geological features of Arizona’s ancient landscape.

This trail winds through stunning badlands formations which were formed over 220 million years ago.

One can marvel at the strikingly colorful hillsides of pink, blue, and lavender as well as the petrified logs scattered along the path.

In addition to the visual wonders, hikers may also spot local wildlife such as pronghorn antelopes and coyotes.

The Blue Mesa Trail is paved and relatively easy, but does have some incline to it at the beginning. You’ll definitely want to wear sneakers and bring some water for this one.

Agate Bridge

The Agate Bridge is a petrified log that forms a bridge over a gully at Agate Mesa.

The bridge is currently blocked off and supported by concrete. In the past visitors were able to stand on the log and take pictures. Due to safety concerns, this is no longer the case.

That being said, this is still an interesting place to visit. You’ll also find lots of birds in this area as you can see from my picture above.

Jasper Forest

The Jasper Forest overlook provides a birds eye view of the Blue Mesa badlands and petrified wood down below. The Jasper Forest bed dates back 216 million years.

While this is primarily just an overlook stop there is also a 2.5 mile trail located here. The trail is a former roadway that used to wind through the Jasper Forest. The road was closed in 1965 to reduce illegal petrified wood removal.

Crystal Forest

In my opinion, Crystal Forest is the best place in the park to view the petrified wood. Here you’ll find a 0.75 mile loop trail and this one is not to be missed.

This unique landscape features massive logs that have been transformed into glittering crystals over time.

The vivid hues of pink, purple, and blue found in these ancient logs are a stunning sight to behold. The process behind this natural phenomenon is complex, but the end result is truly breathtaking.

Rainbow Forest Museum in Petrified Forest National Park

This small but impressive museum boasts several exhibits that detail the history of the park, including dinosaur fossils and petrified wood samples.

Visitors can view several interactive displays that showcase different types of rocks and fossils, as well as learn about the many plant and animal species that call the park home.

The museum also features a gift shop selling souvenirs and educational materials for those who want to take a piece of the experience home with them.

Agate House

The Agate House is a partially reconstructed Puebloan building made from petrified wood. The pueblo was built and occupied sometime between 1050 and 1300 and contained 8 rooms.

The Agate House is located on a small hill in the Rainbow Forest. In order to reach the Agate House you’ll need to walk the 2 mile out and back Agate House Trail. Don’t worry, it’s worth the short hike to get there.

Agate House marks the final stop on this Petrified Forest National Park itinerary. While not one of the most popular national parks, I think this one is highly underrated and definitely worth your time to visit.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to visiting the Petrified Forest and that I’ve inspired you to plan a visit of your own. As always, thanks for reading.