Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona combines fossilized logs, Painted Desert views, and evidence of long human use. Its main road connects two entrances, so a visit can fit into an I-40 journey without returning to the same gate. Leave time to walk: the logs, rock layers, and pueblo remains reward a closer look.

Highlights of Petrified Forest National Park

• Petrified wood: mineralized ancient trees visible along routes near Rainbow Forest and Crystal Forest.
• Blue Mesa: a short but steep trail among blue-gray badlands.
• Painted Desert: overlooks and a rim walk in the northern part of the park.
• Puerco Pueblo: remains of an Ancestral Puebloan settlement beside a short paved loop.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Prepare for sun, wind, and storms

Carry the drinking water you need for the road and each walk. NPS recommends one gallon per person per day for summer hiking. Water is available at the Painted Desert complex and Rainbow Forest Museum, but not at intervening road stops or in the backcountry.

The landscape offers little shade. Use sun protection and prepare for strong wind and sudden temperature changes. Stay back from cliffs and unstable slopes. Never cross a flooded wash or road. During thunderstorms, return to a vehicle or building rather than relying on an open shade shelter. Check park conditions before departure.

Leave fossils and cultural sites intact

Leave every piece of petrified wood, stone, fossil, and artifact where you find it. Collection inside the park is prohibited. Do not touch rock art or climb pueblo walls. Stay on designated routes in developed hiking areas and respect closed areas.

Leashed pets may join walks on developed trails and in designated wilderness. Use a leash no longer than 6 feet, collect waste, and keep pets away from wildlife. Pets cannot enter park buildings, apart from qualifying service animals. Do not leave an animal unattended in a hot vehicle.

Entry and wilderness camping permits

No timed entry reservation is required. Most day hikes do not need a permit, but Devil's Playground is an exception with limited permits. Ordinary day hikers must return to their vehicles before closing.

Overnight stays are limited to permitted wilderness backpacking. The permit is free and issued in person on the day of the trip, with a listed cutoff of 4:30 p.m. There is no car camping, RV camping, or overnight parking-area camping.

The park lists permit pickup at Painted Desert Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn, and Rainbow Forest Museum. Confirm where staff can issue your permit before arrival. The backpacking guidance explains preparation and restrictions. Follow your permit's camping zone and distance requirements rather than assuming that one minimum distance applies everywhere.

Maps, location, and access

The north entrance is at I-40 Exit 311. The south entrance connects to US 180 near Holbrook. The park road runs 28 miles between them. Westbound travelers can enter from I-40 and leave via US 180; eastbound travelers can approach the south entrance through Holbrook and finish at I-40.

NPS warns that some navigation services place park destinations incorrectly. Use its entrance directions and official maps. Do not follow a route onto an unmarked back road or through a locked gate. There is no public transportation to or within the park.

Nearby parks for a separate drive

• Homolovi State Park: Near Winslow on the I-40 travel corridor, a separate outing from the national park.
• Lyman Lake State Park: South of St. Johns on US 180/191, for a regional trip beyond the park’s southern approach.

Short walks and longer exploration

For a longer outing, ask staff about the park's backcountry routes. Some follow old roads or unmaintained paths and require navigation skills. Do not treat them as marked extensions of the short developed loops.

Facilities along the park road

Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum provide orientation and exhibits. The north complex has a diner and convenience store; Rainbow Forest has limited snacks. Service hours can differ from gate hours, so bring supplies for your route.

Restrooms are available at several developed stops, including both visitor centers, Puerco Pueblo, and Hózhó Point. Parking at a viewpoint does not mean drinking water is available there. Stop only in designated parking areas.

Some facilities and trail sections can accommodate mobility equipment, but paved surfaces do not guarantee gentle grades. Giant Logs has stairs, while Blue Mesa begins steeply. Read the accessibility information and discuss your needs with staff. There is no park lodge or developed campground; arrange rooms or vehicle campsites in surrounding communities.

About Petrified Forest National Park

Ancient trees and human history

More than 200 million years ago, fallen trees entered river systems and became buried in sediment. Dissolved minerals entered the wood and formed quartz as organic material broke down. The resulting fossils can retain the shape of a tree while consisting mainly of stone. Their clean breaks result from stress on brittle mineralized logs, rather than saw cuts.

Petrified Forest became a national park in 1962. It also preserves more than 13,000 years of human history. Puerco Pueblo represents part of its Ancestral Puebloan past. Other stories involve early exploration, Civilian Conservation Corps work, and Route 66 travel. These cultural resources belong alongside the fossils in understanding the landscape.

Wildlife in the grassland and badlands

Birds, rabbits, and lizards are among the animals visitors most often see. Activity changes with temperature and season. Many species avoid summer daytime heat by becoming active near dusk or at night. Watch quietly during permitted visiting hours and keep animals away from food and pets.

Contact the park

The NPS contact page lists visitor information at 928-524-6228. Mail goes to Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028-2217. Use the official contact page to confirm permit pickup and operating details before a wilderness trip.