We first visited Petrified Forest National Park in May 2018 and again more recently in November 2022. It was actually the very first national park we checked off our list. And thus began our national park love story. We have now visited a third of all US national parks and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
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Where is Petrified Forest and how to get there?
Petrified Forest National Park is located in Holbrook, AZ right along Interstate 40 between Flagstaff, AZ and Albuquerque, NM. It’s easy to get to by car and has been a great place to stop on our Southwest road trips.
If you aren’t driving, I often recommend flying into PHX Phoenix to begin a Southwest road trip. However, Albuquerque is also a viable option if you want to stop by Petrified Forest, and you should!
When to visit?
As stated above, Petrified Forest is beautiful year round. It’s perfect during shoulder season, in fall and spring, but is also a great winter destination as temperatures stay mild and the dry climate doesn’t affect the brushy vegetation of the park. Summer crowds may be larger, and temperatures often rise well in the 90s, so I would recommend against visiting in June, July, or August.
It is important to note that Petrified Forest National Park, unlike many others, is NOT opened 24 hours a day. There is a closed gate that prohibits access to the park roads outside visiting hours (8am-5pm). The park follows Mountain Standard Time year round and does not observe Daylight Saving.
See also: 15 Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
How much does it cost?
Petrified Forest National Park has a an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle, $15 per person, and $20 per motorcycle. However, if you plan on visiting more than two national parks in the next 12 months, I highly encourage you to get an America the Beautiful Pass or National Park Pass. This pass costs only $80 per year and is valid until the end of the 12th month. For example, if you purchase a pass on April 1st of 2023, it will be valid until April 30th 2024.
This pass also allows you to visit all sites managed by the National Park Service such as national historic sites, monuments, preserves… Certain state parks like Sedona’s Red Rock State Park even allow you to use your national park pass in place of their state park pass. It is seriously one of the best travel deals out there. We purchase a national park pass every single year and have visited almost a dozen state and national parks with it this past year.
Other passes exist for seniors, military members, those with a disability, and more. For more information on Interagency passes and where to purchase them, click here.
How long to stay?
I recommend dedicating at least one whole day to Petrified Forest National Park. There are countless overlooks and trails that are well worth stopping for.
Where to stay?
I recommend staying in Holbrook, AZ if you wish to stay close to the park to start your visit early in the morning. Holbrook offers a variety of budget motels and hotels. However, there isn’t much else to see on the way to Albuquerque or Flagstaff. If you don’t mind driving the 2-3 hours it takes to get there, you will find a lot more options than you would in Holbrook.
Where to eat?
I recommend Mr Maestas for some authentic Mexican food. This is where the locals eat, and the food is delicious. They have a wood stove and an ornate Southwestern theme that make this place a must-stop for anyone craving local cuisine and a good time.
While Maestas is great for dinner, I recommend bringing a picnic lunch as the Painted Desert Diner located near the visitor center is the only food option in the park.
What to do?
In my opinion, Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the United States. It offers stunning views all year long and around every corner. It’s small enough that you can visit it in just one day but serves a variety of interests. From the picturesque Painted Desert to fossilized wood, breathtaking hikes and well-preserved Native American artifacts, there is something for everyone.
Here are all the best things to see and do in Petrified Forest National Park!
- Painted Desert Overlooks
- Painted Desert Inn
- Old Route 66
- Puerco Pueblo Ruins and Petroglyphs
- The Teepees
- Hike Blue Forest/ Blue Mesa Trail
- Agate Bridge
- Jasper Forest Overlook
- Crystal Forest Loop
- Long Logs/ Agate House Trail
- Rainbow Forest Museum and Giant Logs Loop
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Painted Desert Overlooks
I recommend stopping at all the overlooks along the Painted Desert. However, if you’re short on time, Tiponi and Kachina Point are my favorites. The Painted Desert is located on the northern end of the park and features colorful hills of various shades of orange and purple.
Painted Desert Inn
Unlike its name, the Painted Desert Inn is actually a museum that features the history of the building and Route 66. No overnight stay or food are available at the Inn.
Old Route 66
Before crossing over the Interstate, make sure to stop near the old rusty car for a photo op. This 1932 Studebaker is a remnant of Old Route 66 and indicates the ancient path it used to cross Petrified Forest National Park.
Puerco Pueblo Ruins and Petroglyphs
Learn about Native American history at this Puerco Pueblo ruin site. Ancient Puebloan people moved here after a series of drought in the 1200s. The walls are all that remain of the structures built by the Pueblo people and which might have housed as many as 200 people before they were abandoned.
Nearby is Newspaper Rock. From the overlook, you’ll be able to admire over 650 petroglyphs on various rock surfaces.
The Teepees
The Teepees refer to a series of buttes near the Blue Mesa. They are located right next to the road side and layered with colorful reds, blues and purples. The Teepees also serve as a great marker for the entrance of the Blue Forest Trail. I took the above photo right at the trailhead.
Hike Blue Forest/ Blue Mesa Trail
Blue Forest Trail was first created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and recently re-established in 2013. Note that this 3 mi/ 4.8 km trail is reserved for sure-footed, experienced hikers and features a moderate incline with no shade. If you plan on hiking Blue Forest Trail during the summer months, make sure to bring plenty of water as well as sunscreen.
This trail is not well marked, so I encourage you to download this PDF from the National Park Service website, which contains detailed information and pictures to help you navigate this hidden gem of Petrified Forest National Park.
If you have little time in Petrified Forest or do not wish to hike as far, consider walking the 1 mi/ 1.6 km Blue Mesa Loop. This trail is flat and easy and features gorgeous views of the blue, purple, and grey badlands of the Blue Mesa.
LEAVE NO TRACE!
as with any other trail, make sure you leave no trace. this includes leaving all petrified wood where you find it for others to enjoy. if you wish to bring petrified wood home, small boxes are available for purchase at the visitor centers on both ends of the park.
Agate Bridge
Though petrified wood can be found in the Painted Desert, it’s much more highly concentrated in the Southern end of the park. One of the first stops in Petrified Forest district is Agate Bridge, a unique 110 ft/ 34 m petrified log laid over a small dry creek bed.
Jasper Forest Overlook
Jasper Forest Overlook is one of the must-see stops in the park. There you’ll get a panoramic view of countless petrified logs spread across a valley with the impressive Painted Desert buttes as a backdrop.
Crystal Forest Loop
This location is named after the many quartz crystal that can be found sparkling in the petrified logs that lay scattered around the trail. The short 0.75 mi/ 1.2 km loop around Crystal Forest is one you shouldn’t miss if you want to get close and personal to the glittering colorful logs of Petrified Forest.
Long Logs/ Agate House Trail
The Long Longs and Agate House trails are 1.6 mi (2.5 km) and 2 mi (3.2 km) respectively but can be combined for a total of 2.6 mi/ 4.2 km round trip. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection as these trails offer very little shade. The only shelter available is located at the junction between the two trails.
We skipped the Agate House trail on our first visit, so I was very much looking forward to seeing it during our last visit in November of 2022. We started the trail right at sunset and were greeted with unbelievable views of the petrified wood structure upon arrival. Several structures of that kind have been found throughout Petrified Forest. The current Agate House is a 1930s reconstruction of what the house looked like between 11th and 14th century.
Rainbow Forest Museum and Giant Logs Loop
Stop by the Visitor Center and walk around the short Giant Logs loop located right behind the facility. This short trail showcases some of the largest petrified wood in the park. At just 0.4 mi/ 0.6 km, it is definitely worth a few minutes of your time.
The structure was the heart of Petrified Forest National Monument when it was first established by President Roosevelt in the 1930s
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