Road Travel America


2024 Travel Guide to the Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is located in Navajo and Apache counties in northeastern Arizona. The park is about 30 miles long from north to south, and its width varies from a maximum of about 12 miles in the north to a minimum of about 1 mile. Named for its large deposits of petrified wood, the park covers about 346 square miles of semi-desert shrub steppe as well as highly eroded and colorful badlands.

It is located on Interstate 40 near Holbrook, Arizona. Historic U.S. Route 66 also passed through the park. The park's north entrance is just off Interstate 40, and the south entrance off U.S. Highway 180. Visitors may enter at one end of the park and exit at the other.

Averaging 5,400 feet in elevation, the park has a dry windy climate with temperatures that vary from summer highs of about 100F to winter lows well below freezing. More than 400 species of plants, including grasses such as bunchgrass, blue grama, and sacaton, are found in the park.

The park offers a wide range of things to do and activities, from hiking, biking, camping, fishing, eco tours and winter sports.

The entrance area to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
The entrance area to Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook in Arizona
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Painted Desert Visitor Center in Arizona
Rainbow Forest Museum
Rainbow Forest Museum at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in Arizona


Attractions in the Petrified Forest

There is no shortage of activities for individuals, groups, or families to enjoy outdoors in Petrified Forest. The diverse habitats allow for enjoyable activities ranging from hiking, backpacking, geocaching, ranger talks & tours, and horseback riding.

There are fossils, badlands, buttes and mesas, ancient petroglyphs, wildlife and wildflowers, and vast vistas for more than a hundred miles! If you are craving some quiet solitude, the Petrified Forest is perfect for hiking and contemplation.

The Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center is located on the south end of the park. The Painted Desert Visitor Center is located on the north side of the park, just north of Interstate I-40; the Painted Desert Inn is located nearby, a national historic landmark and museum.

Driving the 28 miles (45 km) from one end of the park to the other takes about an hour.

Attractions Around the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert ... from TripAdvisor

Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide ... TripAdvisor reviews, photos

Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park

Blue Mesa

Rainbow Forest

Painted Desert

TripAdvisor Reviews

Hotels and Lodging in nearby Holbrook, Arizona

 

The famous Tepees at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
The famous Tepees at Petrified Forest National Park in the State of Arizona
Snow at the Blue Mesa at Petrified Forest National Park (Photo courtesy of the NPS)
Snow at the Blue Mesa at Petrified Forest National Park


Interactive Map of the Petrified Forest Area

Petrified Forest National Park
1 Park Road, #2217
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028
Phone 928.524.6228
Website of Petrified Forest National Park at NPS

 

NPS Map of the Park

Included below is a map of Petrified Forest National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service.

click the image to enlarge

Map of Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert ... click to enlarge

 

Scenes Around Petrified Forest

Hills at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona (Photo courtesy of the NPS)
The hills at Petrified Forest National Park
Blue Mesa Trail winding through the Petrified Forest National Park (Photo courtesy of the NPS)
Blue Mesa Trail winding through the Petrified Forest National Park


Scenes Around the Painted Desert

Overlook at the Painted Desert in Arizona
Overlook at the Painted Desert in Arizona near the Petrified Forest

Historic U.S. Route 66 through the Painted Desert

Shown here is signage at the Painted Desert marking the path of Route 66 through eight states, and through this area. It reads, in part ...

"Gaze down the long road and listen. You may hear echoes of the past ... echoes of Route 66"

Route 66 sign and marker in the Painted Desert in Arizona


Historic U.S. Route 66 roadbed seen as it passes through the Painted Desert
Historic U.S. Route 66 roadbed seen as it passes through the Painted Desert


More Information about the Petrified Forest National Park

Website of Petrified Forest National Park at NPS

Petrified Forest Tourist Guide at TripAdvisor

Visit Arizona: Petrified Forest National Park