A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood. Spanning more than 200 million years of geologic history, the park protects ancient fossils, ancestral Puebloan sites, habitat for desert animals, and a sweeping stretch of historic Route 66.
Photo: NPS Photo
Petrified Forest National Park
- LocationPetrified Forest, AZ
- Entrance $25 private vehicle
- HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
-
Weather now66°F Sunny
- Alerts 2 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Archeology
- Architecture and Building
- Arts
- Birds
- Cats (wild)
- Climate Change
- Conservation Movement
37 more topics
- Dinosaur
- Dunes
- Elk
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Farming and Agriculture
- Foothills, Plains and Valleys
- Fossils and Paleontology
- Geology
- Grasslands
- Great Depression
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Homesteading
- Latino American Heritage
- LGB American Heritage
- Migrations
- Native American Heritage
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- Painting
- Petrified Wood
- Photography
- Plateaus and Mesas
- Prairies
- River and Riparian
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Rock Landscapes and Features
- Ruins
- Scenic Views
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Social Movements
- Thickets and Shrublands
- Trails
- Trains and Railroads
- Transportation
- Westward Expansion
- Wilderness
- Women's History
Alerts (2)
InformationThe Painted Desert Oasis Gift Shop, Gas Station and Restaurant are Open! The Painted Desert Oasis gift shop, gas station and restaurant located at the north entrance of the park are open, and r… Read more
The Painted Desert Oasis gift shop, gas station and restaurant located at the north entrance of the park are open, and restrooms are available during construction. Visitor center operations are currently located at the Painted Desert Inn, two miles past the entrance station.
InformationPark Headquarters Phones are Down Phones at park headquarters are currently down. Please call the visitor center at Painted Desert Inn 928-235-2467 or the… Read more
Phones at park headquarters are currently down. Please call the visitor center at Painted Desert Inn 928-235-2467 or the Visitor Services office 928-235-2391 between 8 am and 5 pm. You can also send us an email at pefo_information@nps.gov.
Things to Do
37 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Wildlife Watching
- Scenic Driving
- Stargazing
- Astronomy
- Biking
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Horse Trekking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
Show 25 more activities
- Picnicking
- Arts and Culture
- Auto and ATV
- Backcountry Camping
- Backcountry Hiking
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Citizen Science
- Compass and GPS
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Dining
- Food
- Front-Country Hiking
- Geocaching
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
- Hands-On
- Horse Camping (see also camping)
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Horseback Riding
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
- Orienteering
- Park Film
- Road Biking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Shopping
Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
-
Painted Desert Inn
Visitor Center
In its almost 100 years overlooking the Painted Desert, the inn has undergone many changes. The original building from the early 1920s was made of petrified wood…
Details
In its almost 100 years overlooking the Painted Desert, the inn has undergone many changes. The original building from the early 1920s was made of petrified wood. Today's stucco façade dates to the 1930s renovation of the Painted Desert Inn. The national historic landmark functions only as a museum now, with no overnight accommodation and food service. Displays inside highlight the building's history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are also restored murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.
Other Visitor Services
-
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Facility
Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at exit #311 off of I-40 is closed for construction. Follow signs to the Painted Desert Inn. This facility is serving as the…
1 Park Road, Petrified Forest, AZ (928) 524-6228 Directions
Details
Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at exit #311 off of I-40 is closed for construction. Follow signs to the Painted Desert Inn. This facility is serving as the north visitor center. The center provides information, brochures, book sales, exhibits, and restrooms. -
Rainbow Forest Museum
Facility
Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms.
6618 Petrified Forest Road, Holbrook, AZ (928) 524-6822 Directions
Details
Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM · Park Road Hours
Hours details
-
Park Road HoursDaily, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Monday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 8:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
- $25Private Vehicle
- $20Motorcycle
- $15Per Person
All 9 fees & details
-
Private Vehicle$25
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.
-
Per Person$15
Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.
-
Motorcycle$20
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
-
Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans) If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
-
Commercial Entrance - Per Person$10
$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans) If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
-
Commercial Entrance - Van$50
Capacity of 7 to 15 passengers - $50 (Vans). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
-
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$60
Capacity of 16-25 passengers - $60 If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
-
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$150
Capacity of 26+ passengers - $150 (Large tour buses, motorcoaches). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
-
Non-commercial Groups$15
Capacity of 16 or more $15/person. Anyone that is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee, in addition to anyone with a valid pass. A pass may cover immediate family members or up to 4 people traveling with the group. A non-commercial organized group is a group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, or other group that has organized its own itinerary. Fees are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Passes
- $45Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
Come here often? Consider purchasing an annual pass. The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue.
Weather
66°F
Sunny · feels like 65°
-
Today
75° 56°
Sunny2% rain
-
Tomorrow
76° 59°
Sunny1% rain
-
Saturday
78° 59°
Sunny1% rain
Updated 4 hr ago
What to expect by season
Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often dramatic summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
Contact the park
Photos
-
Masonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo. — NPS Photo/Andrew V. Kearns -
-
-
-
2 more photos
Getting There
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028
Petrified Forest stretches north/south between I-40 and Hwy 180. There are two entrances into the park.*** ***WESTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 311, drive 28 miles through the park to Hwy 180 at the south end.
Full directions
Travel 19 miles to return to I-40 via Holbrook.*** ***EASTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 to the park's south entrance. Drive 28 miles north through the park to return to I-40.
Mailing address: Petrified Forest National Park, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028-2217
Map loads when you scroll here