No one ever said that time travel was easy, but one day in Petrified Forest National Park will make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. This park is home to one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of petrified wood- over 225 million pieces!
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure to embark on, you can easily see Petrified Forest National Park in one day is definitely worth your time! This park is home to some of the most unique geological features in the United States.
You can explore trails that lead through a desert landscape, visit two different visitor centers, and participate in ranger-led programs. There are also plenty of things to do off the beaten path (literally), so make sure to bring your sense of exploration along with you!
This park has plenty of things to do, so it’s the perfect destination for anyone looking for an adventure. In this blog post, we’ll give you a full Petrified Forest itinerary to help you make the most of your trip.
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Things to Know Before You Visit Petrified Forest
Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. This park is home to some of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of petrified wood. Because it’s so special, some careful trip planning is required.
How to Get There
Petrified Forest National Park is a bit remote. Unless you’re on a road trip from New Mexico to Arizona or California, it’s not a park you’ll stumble on by accident. Here are the closest national parks, attractions, airports, and cities.
Phoenix: 212 miles, 3.5 hours
Flagstaff: 115 miles, 1.75 hours
Tucson: 260 miles, 5 hours
Grand Canyon National Park: 200 miles, 3 hours
Monument Valley: 192 miles, 3.25 miles
Albuquerque: 210 miles, 3 hours
Mesa Verde National Park: 230 miles, 3.5 hours
Saguaro National Park: 201 miles, 4.5 hours
Page: 230 miles, 3.5 hours
Nearest airports: Flagstaff (2 hours), Phoenix (3 hours), Albuquerque (3 hours)
There is no public transportation, so you’ll need to rent a car unless you have your own.
Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park
Summer (June to September) in the park is hot and dry. Highs are usually in the 90-100°F range. An average park elevation of 5,400 feet does help some, but it’s still very hot. It does cool down at night.
It’s also important to note that summer is monsoon season, so you may experience violent thunderstorms. There is also very little shade in the park, so prepare for sun exposure.
Spring (March to May) and fall (October and November) are the best times to visit Petrified Forest National Park. You’ll experience cooler temperatures and very little rainfall. Spring also brings wildflowers! However, it could be the most crowded time to visit because of this.
Winter (December to February) provides an opportunity to see the giant logs covered in snow.
Hours of Operation
Unlike other national parks, Petrified Forest is not open 24 hours a day. It is only open from 8 am to 6 pm. The park is closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Remember that Arizona is on MST year-round and does not observe daylight savings time. This will put it in a different time zone than California, Utah, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation for some of the year.
Park Overview and Map
Consider Petrified Forest National Park to be divided into two sections: the Painted Desert in the north and the highest concentration of petrified wood in the south. I-40 is the dividing line.
The north entrance is located off Interstate 40. Features include Painted Desert overlooks, Painted Desert Inn, Painted Desert Visitor Center, the Painted Desert Rim Trail, and Route 66.
The south entrance is accessible from US 180. It has the Rainbow Forest Museum, Giant Logs Trail, Blue Mesa Road and hiking trails, Crystal Forest, Jasper Forest, Long Logs Trail, and the Agate House.
Where to Stay
There are no lodges within the park boundaries.
There are also no campgrounds in Petrified Forest National Park. Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit. There is no water in the park, so you’ll need to carry in all essentials.
Holbrook is the closest town, and it’s also really fun and quirky. Winslow is also not far, plus then you can stand on a corner and have fun singing The Eagles’ tune.
Here are some lodging options in both communities:
Holbrook: Days Inn | Travelodge | Howard Johnson | Brad’s Desert Inn | 66 Motel | GreenTree Inn
Winslow: Rodeway Inn | Best Western | Quality Inn | Travelodge | La Posada Hotel and Gardens
Entrance Fee
The park entrance fee is $25 per vehicle, $15 per individual on foot or bicycle, and $20 per motorcycle.
In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.
What is Petrified Wood?
It’s hard to imagine now, but 225 million years ago, this area was covered with lush vegetation and redwood forests. Over time, trees were buried under layers and layers of rock, forever preserved.
Petrified wood is a type of fossilized wood that forms when trees are buried by sediment and subjected to high temperatures and pressures. Over time, the wood becomes mineral-rich and turns into stone.
The petrified wood in this park is some of the best-preserved in the world. The colors are also incredibly vibrant, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Due to the unique environment here, Petrified Forest National Park is home to the largest concentrations of petrified wood on Earth.
Leave No Trace
Please do not take any petrified wood from within the park boundaries. Imagine if all 600,000+ visitors per year took just one little piece; there would be nothing left!
Even so, it’s estimated that 22,000 pounds of petrified wood is stolen from the park every year. Please do not contribute to this statistic! National parks are for everyone, and it’s important to continue preserving them.
If the idea of benefiting future generations and serving the National Park Service mission isn’t enough to convince you, consider the fine. Removing any park artifacts comes with a minimum fine of $325.
If you cannot leave the area without a petrified souvenir, there are plenty of places to buy them in the nearby communities. These pieces are taken from private land and therefore legal to sell.
What to Pack
Finally, and we can’t stress this enough, pack wisely for this trip. By respecting this environment, you will in turn respect yourself. Keep yourself safe and comfortable to enjoy this national park to its fullest!
- Hiking boots: Shoes that are good for hiking and have ankle support.
- Sunscreen: The UV rays in national parks can be intense, even on cloudy days.
- Bug spray: There are a lot of bugs in the park, especially near water sources.
- Yaktrax: Helpful for snowy conditions.
- Rain gear: The weather can change quickly, no matter the time of year or location. Bring a raincoat and/or umbrella just in case!
- Layers: Temperatures can fluctuate a lot, so it’s best to dress in layers.
- Snacks: There are limited food options inside the park, so bring your own snacks!
- Camera: You’ll want to capture the beauty of your national park in photos!
- Water bottle: Stay hydrated while hiking around the park!
- Hat: You’ll need protection from the sun and bugs.
- Binoculars: Bring binoculars if you want to view wildlife in the park.
- First-aid kit: You never know if you might get a cut or scrape while hiking.
- Flashlight: This is helpful for late-night hikes and stargazing!
- Map: Bring a physical map for navigating the park.
How to Spend One Day in Petrified Forest National Park
We’ll work our way from north to south on Petrified Forest Road, the 28-mile scenic drive through the park. If you enter from the south, you can do this Petfried Forest itinerary in reverse.
Thanks to the park’s small size, one day in Petrified Forest is really all you need. However, we still recommend starting early!
We recommend at least 15-30 minutes at each stop; perhaps longer if you plan to hike. For the complete one day in Petrified Forest itinerary, we recommend spending 6-8 hours in the park. This does not include drive times from your lodging. Don’t forget about the park hours – make sure you plan ahead.
If you don’t have that much time, note that driving the entire Petrified Forest Road takes about an hour without stops. We recommend choosing the section of the park that interests you the most and focus your time there in order to make the most of one day in Petrified Forest.
Personally, if you have less than one day in Petrified Forest, I would spend it at the south entrance. This is where you’ll find the largest examples of petrified wood. Hike the Giant Logs loop and take in any other views/attractions you have the time for. The Painted Desert is stunning, but in my opinion, it is not the highlight of this park. A visit to Petrified Forest isn’t complete without seeing petrified wood!
Note: fill up your gas tank before you begin!
One Day in Petrified Forest National Park at a Glance
- Petrified Forest Road
- Painted Desert Visitor Center
- Painted Desert Overlooks
- Painted Desert Rim Trail
- Painted Desert Inn
- Route 66 Monument and the 1932 Studebaker
- Puerco Pueblo
- Newspaper Rock
- The Tepees
- Blue Mesa Scenic Road
- Blue Forest Hike
- Blue Mesa Trail
- Agate Bridge
- Jasper Forest
- Crystal Forest
- Rainbow Forest Museum
- Giant Logs Trail
- Long Logs Trail
- Agate House
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Grab your trip planner which includes a map and details about each stop listed below. Here, you can also watch the park film, learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps, and stamp your national parks passport book.
You can also ask park rangers about the History and Culture Tour. This is self-guided with a brochure you can pick up for free here at the visitor center.
Off-the-beaten-path hikes into the Painted Desert also begin here if you’re feeling adventurous. Route-finding skills are required so you don’t get lost!
Painted Desert Overlooks
Nearby viewpoints include Tiponi Point, Tawa Point, Kachina Point, Chinde Point, Pintado Point, Nizhoni Point, Whipple Point, and Lacey Point. Visit these quick overlooks for sprawling Painted Desert views.
You can pick and choose – there is no need to stop at each one. My favorite is probably Tiponi Point.
Painted Desert Rim Trail
This easy hike is 1 mile out and back. It’s unpaved and relatively flat with views over the Painted Desert. You’ll begin at Tawa Point and hike to the Painted Desert Inn at Kachina Point.
You’ll feel like you’ve shipped yourself off to Mars!
Though the hike is scenic, most of it is along the road. If you’d rather save some time, you can also drive to both viewpoints.
Painted Desert Inn
The Painted Desert Inn has been a fixture here since the 1920s.
On the old Route 66, the Painted Desert Inn was just that: a hotel and restaurant serving travelers. Today, it’s a fascinating museum all about the famed scenic route.
Tours are offered if you are interested in the fascinating history. It’s also a National Historic Landmark!
Route 66 Monument and the Old Studebaker
Did you know that Petrified Forest was the only national park Route 66 traveled through?
Route 66 was a historic route that passed through the area on its way from Chicago to Santa Monica. It was often called the “Main Street of America” and encouraged travelers to drive the scenic route, avoiding interstates.
At this monument, you can see the old route marked by an old roadbed and telephone poles. There’s also a 1932 Studebaker that was donated to the National Park Service in 2006.
It’s easy to pass, so make sure to drive slowly as you approach. This spot is marked simply as “Route 66” on Google Maps. It’s just before the I-40 underpass (or after if you’re starting at the southern entrance).
Puerco Pueblo
In the 1300s, a pueblo village was located here. It housed 200 people with a plaza and more than 100 rooms. Today, only their foundations remain (which is actually quite impressive!).
This is a short walk from the parking lot (about 0.3-miles total). There are also some petroglyphs along the trail, so keep your eyes peeled. You can look and admire it, but please don’t touch or graffiti these cultural resources!
Newspaper Rock
A bit further down the road is a parking area for Newspaper Rock. The Puebloans mentioned above completed over 600 petroglyphs here. It’s estimated they were created between 1499 BC and 1000 AD.
There is an overlook to view Newspaper Rock from above, but getting any closer is not permitted. Please help protect this sacred site by staying on the trail. Binoculars at the overlook can help you get a better view.
The Tepees
As you continue your drive, you’ll notice the landscape begins to change. Gone are the hills of red, orange, and green as you arrive in the Blue Mesa.
The first clue is the Tepees, a series of striped mountains. Think of the views in Badlands National Park but with layers of purple, gray, and blue.
Blue Forest Hike
Off the beaten path, the Blue Forest Trail is one of many trails in the Blue Mesa.
The trail itself is moderate in difficulty but will be challenging for beginning hikers. The trail is not well marked. We recommend only hikers with route-finding skills attempt it.
Blue Mesa Trail
For a shorter, more popular hike, try the Blue Mesa Trail. This more traditional trail is well-marked and heavily trafficked. The trail is also paved.
Make sure to take a close look at the formations to really see the beauty of the colorful layers.
This is our favorite thing to do in Petrified Forest National Park. I have visited the park twice and I always find this to be the most stunning trail!
To get here, take the Blue Mesa Scenic Road. Even if you choose not to hike the two trails listed above, the drive is worth it for the views. It’s only 3.5 miles long, so it won’t take too much time.
Agate Bridge
Personally, I would skip this stop. But, it’s included in the official National Park Service trip planner, so I felt it deserved a mention.
This is an old 110-foot-long bridge made from a petrified log. It was unstable, so park rangers added more beams and other reinforcements to keep it intact.
Jasper Forest
The Jasper Forest Trail is home to one of the areas in the park featuring the most petrified wood. When the railroad was completed, visitors frequented Jasper Forest to steal the wood which lead to the creation of Petrified Forest National Monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Like the Blue Forest hike, it’s also off the beaten path and route-finding skills are necessary.
You can also visit the Jasper Forest Overlook if you don’t have time for the 2.5-mile hike.
Crystal Forest
An alternative to Jasper Forest is the Crystal Forest Trail, an easy 0.8-mile loop that allows you to walk right up to petrified logs. They are so wonderfully colorful!
Sadly, this area used to have a lot more wood. It has been highly pilfered over the years. Imagine what it could have looked like, and use that as a reminder to leave all petrified pieces where you find them.
Rainbow Forest Museum
This small visitor center features exhibits on petrified wood, dinosaurs, and more. It is located adjacent to the south entrance and a natural place to end a spectacular one day in Petrified Forest National Park. You can also watch the park film here. It also includes a gift shop.
Giant Logs Trail
This is one of the most popular hikes in Petrified Forest National Park. The short loop is only 0.4 miles and showcases some of the largest logs in the park. This is a good alternative to the Long Logs Trail if you are short on time or don’t wish to hike as far. This begins at the Rainbow Forest Museum.
If you don’t want to hike the full loop, at least stop to see Old Faithful. It’s one of the largest examples of a petrified tree in the world. Its base is nearly 10 feet across!
Long Logs Trail and the Agate House
Also starting from the Rainbow Forest Museum is a 2-mile hike on the Agate House Trail. This Puebloan domicile was made entirely from petrified trees and still stands today (thanks to some help from park rangers). It had 8 rooms and was occupied from approximately 1050 to 1300.
Also starting at the Rainbow Forest Museum is the Long Logs Trail which leads to some of the most intact giant logs in the park. Some are over 180 feet long! This trail is about 1.5 miles.
You can combine both routes for a 2.6-mile hike that will take about 90 minutes.
For fewer crowds, we recommend Long Logs over the Giant Logs Trail.
If you’re short on time, you may want to skip this as it will take the longest of everything recommended on this Petrified Forest itinerary.
Pin Our One Day in Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary
Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most unique places on Earth. If you find yourself in northeastern Arizona, even for just one day, it’s definitely worth a visit!
Have you ever been to Petrified Forest National Park? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below!
