National park · United States
Petrified Forest National Park
Drive the 45 km (28 mi) park road north-to-south in one half day: enter at I-40 exit 311, walk Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest, exit at Highway 180. Skip it if you have under three hours — the park closes its gates at night.Drive the 28 mi (45 km) park road north-to-south in one half day: enter at I-40 exit 311, walk Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest, exit at Highway 180. Skip it if you have under three hours — the park closes its gates at night.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
885 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (885 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 885 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (885 km²)
- About 885 km² (218,533 acres) after the 2004 expansion; the park is a long north-south strip, not a compact block (check).
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Petrified Forest National Park is a 45 km north-south strip of badlands and grassland off Interstate 40 in north-eastern Arizona, between Holbrook and the New Mexico line. It was set aside as a national monument in 1906 to protect the petrified wood, became a national park in 1962, and more than doubled in size in 2004. The park road runs from the Painted Desert rim at the north entrance (I-40 exit 311) to Rainbow Forest at the south entrance (Highway 180), so you can drive it end to end in one direction without backtracking. The draw is threefold: one of the world's densest and most colourful concentrations of petrified wood, the banded Chinle Formation badlands of the Painted Desert, and the best single record of the Late Triassic anywhere — palaeontologists working here name roughly two new animal species a year. Along the same road sit an 800-year-old pueblo, hundreds of petroglyphs and a Route 66-era inn. There is no lodging or campground inside the park, the gates close at night, and the nearest beds are in Holbrook, 25–30 minutes from the south entrance.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
885 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (885 km²) · national park since 1962
About 885 km² (218,533 acres) after the 2004 expansion; the park is a long north-south strip, not a compact block (check).
Why go
- One of the world's densest and most colourful concentrations of petrified wood, in logs up to tens of metres long.
- The Painted Desert badlands of the Chinle Formation run along the northern rim.
- The best single representation of the Late Triassic anywhere — palaeontologists name roughly two new animal species a year here.
- An 800-year-old pueblo, hundreds of petroglyphs and a Route 66-era inn sit along the same 45 km (28 mi) road.An 800-year-old pueblo, hundreds of petroglyphs and a Route 66-era inn sit along the same 28 mi (45 km) road.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold nights, mild afternoons; snow possible
- FebCold, windy; quiet
- MarWarming; wind and blowing sand
- AprMild days, clear light
- MayWarm, dry; long days
- JunHot; start at opening
- JulMonsoon storms, lightning, flash floods
- AugMonsoon peak; afternoon storms
- SepStorms easing; warm
- OctCool, clear; best walking
- NovMild days, cold nights
- DecCold; closed 25 December
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronghorn, mule deer and coyotesAll year · Most visible in the grassland early and late. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Golden eagles, hawks and songbirdsMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lizards and snakesApr–Sep · Active by day in warm months; watch where you put hands and feet. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Nocturnal rodents, bats and owlsAll year · Seen at dawn and dusk rather than midday. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Holbrook
Drive Highway 180 south to the south entrance, or I-40 east to exit 311 for the north entrance.
25–30 min
From Flagstaff
I-40 east to exit 311 (north entrance).
1.5 h
From Albuquerque
I-40 west to exit 311.
3–3.5 h
From Gallup
I-40 west; the nearest Amtrak station is here on the Southwest Chief.
1 h
From Mogollon Rim
Drive north-west via Highway 180 and Holbrook.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Painted Desert (north end) | Badlands rim, Tawa Point, Kachina Point and the Painted Desert Inn. | Open with entry ticket; Rim Trail from Tawa Point. |
| Central mesa and washes | Newspaper Rock, Puerco Pueblo, Agate Bridge, Jasper Forest and Blue Mesa. | Open; short trails and roadside overlooks. |
| Rainbow Forest (south end) | Rainbow Forest Museum, Giant Logs, Long Logs, Agate House and Crystal Forest. | Open; paved and gravel loops. |
| Wilderness area | Off-road backcountry north of Lithodendron Wash. | On foot or horseback with a free permit; no water. |
Sketch map
- 1Painted Desert Visitor Center · Headquarters≈35.066, -109.782North entrance, I-40 exit 311.Map ↗
- 2Painted Desert Inn / Kachina Point · Viewpoint≈35.084, -109.789Map ↗
- 3Puerco Pueblo · Village≈34.976, -109.794Map ↗
- 4Newspaper Rock · Viewpoint≈34.962, -109.799Map ↗
- 5Blue Mesa · Trail≈34.939, -109.756Map ↗
- 6Jasper Forest · Viewpoint≈34.892, -109.808Map ↗
- 7Rainbow Forest Museum · Headquarters≈34.815, -109.866South entrance, Highway 180.Map ↗
- 8Giant Logs Trail · Trail≈34.816, -109.867Map ↗
- 9Agate House · Trail≈34.805, -109.861Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the 45 km park road, from the north entrance to Rainbow Forest; for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$25–30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days. Motorcycle and per-person rates are lower (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | Covers this park and other federal fee areas for a year. |
| Backcountry permit | Free | person | Free, issued in person at least one hour before closing. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Night access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$25–30
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Petrified Forest National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Petrified wood
- Collecting wood, rock or fossils is illegal; rangers ask about possession at the gate, and vehicles can be inspected on exit.
- Opening hours
- The park is open daily except 25 December; the road is closed at night without a permit. Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round, so clocks from the Navajo Nation run an hour ahead.
- Bicycles
- Allowed on the paved park road only — not on trails or off-road.
- Drones
- Launching or landing a drone is prohibited in the park (check).check
- Alcohol
- Allowed only in picnic areas and the concession food service areas.
- Pets
- Not allowed on trails or in the backcountry; they may be walked where vehicles can go (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Holbrook
The closest motels and diners, 25–30 min from the south entrance.
Near the park
Winslow
Route 66 town about an hour west.
Near the park
Flagstaff
Largest base with the widest choice, 1.5 h west.
Near the park
Gallup
About an hour east, useful for eastbound I-40 trips.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Monsoon storms high
Blowing sand and wind medium
Winter cold and snow medium
No water in the backcountry high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Both visitor centres, the museum and the Painted Desert Inn are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Giant Logs and Crystal Forest are paved loops; Blue Mesa and Long Logs include steps and uneven gravel.
Visiting lightly
- Buy petrified wood only from shops outside the park that sell legally collected material — never pick anything up inside.
- Carry out all rubbish; desert litter lasts for decades.
- Fill water bottles at the visitor centres instead of buying new ones.
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile badlands crusts and fossil beds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Petrified Forest National Park?
A private vehicle pays about US$25–30 for seven days (2026 estimate); motorcycles and pedestrians pay less. The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this park and other federal fee areas for a year. Rates change — confirm at the entrance station.
What are the best hikes in Petrified Forest National Park?
Blue Mesa (1.6 km, moderate) for colour, Crystal Forest (1.3 km, paved) and Long Logs with the Agate House spur (2.6 km plus 0.8 km) for the densest petrified wood, and Giant Logs (0.6 km) if you only have half an hour. The Rim Trail at the north end is the easy Painted Desert walk.
When is the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park?
April, May and October give mild days and clear light. July and August bring monsoon storms, lightning and flash floods; December to February is cold with possible snow. Whatever the month, enter at opening — midday light is harsh and the park road closes at night.
How long do you need in the park?
Three hours covers the drive and two short trails. A half day lets you add Blue Mesa, Puerco Pueblo and the museum. A full day adds the Rim Trail, Newspaper Rock and a ranger walk.
Can you camp in Petrified Forest National Park?
There are no campgrounds. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit issued at least an hour before closing, and you must camp north of Lithodendron Wash and carry all your water. Otherwise sleep in Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff or Gallup.
Can you take petrified wood from the park?
No. Removing wood, rock or fossils is illegal and rangers check vehicles on the way out. Buy souvenirs from shops outside the park instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go