Petrified Forest National Park

Sunlit Painted Desert hills of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
Sunrise and sunset are favorite times to view the colorful Painted Desert of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.
Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.
Sunlight highlights the colorful petrified wood of Agate House
Agate House was built over 900 years ago out of pieces of petrified wood
Masonry wall foundations are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo
Masonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo.
Two visitors walk the Blue Mesa Trail between blue, purple, and grey badlands.
Visitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.
many petrified logs lay on the ground and on eroded pedestals of clay
Jasper Forest has some of the most colorful logs in the park.
A beam of light touches a petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo on the summer solstice
A petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo interacts with the sunlight on the summer solstice.
a petroglyph pecked into sandstone that represents a mountain lion
This ancient petroglyph of a mountain lion has become an icon of the park.
Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands
Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands.
Photos: National Park Service

About Petrified Forest National Park

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.

Quick Facts

State Arizona
Designation National Park
State Code AZ
Weather 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…

Location & Map

Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle $25.00

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.

Entrance - Motorcycle $20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan $25.00

$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 $10.00

$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 $50.00

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 $60.00

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 $150.00

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.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups $15.00

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.

Operating Hours

Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Wednesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Arts and Culture Cultural Demonstrations Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Astronomy Stargazing Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Compass and GPS Geocaching Orienteering Food Dining Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hands-On Citizen Science Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Off-Trail Permitted Hiking Horse Trekking Horse Camping (see also camping) Horseback Riding Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

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. 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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address Exit 311, Petrified Forest, AZ, 86028
Phone 928-524-6822

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $45.00

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.

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Ruins Arts Painting Photography Explorers and Expeditions Farming and Agriculture Great Depression Hispanic American Heritage Latino American Heritage LGB American Heritage Migrations Native American Heritage Science, Technology and Innovation Social Movements Conservation Movement Transportation Roads, Routes and Highways Trains and Railroads Westward Expansion Homesteading Women's History Animals Birds Cats (wild) Elk Climate Change Dunes Foothills, Plains and Valleys Plateaus and Mesas Fossils and Paleontology Dinosaur Petrified Wood Geology Grasslands Prairies Natural Sounds Night Sky River and Riparian Rock Landscapes and Features Scenic Views Thickets and Shrublands Trails Wilderness

Things To Do

Peek into the Paleo Lab

Peek into the Paleo Lab

Visit the Museum Demonstration Lab at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Complex where you can ask questions and watch them…

Visit the paleontology laboratory at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Complex where you can ask questions and watch them work…

Go Bicycling

Go Bicycling

Bicycle—including ebikes—use is permitted on paved park roads and parking areas open to the public as well as some areas…

Bicycles are allowed along the park road, but not along the trails except for a short access trail at Long…

Collect Your Cancellation Stamps

Collect Your Cancellation Stamps

Collect your cancellation stamp!

Collect your cancellation stamp from one the visitor centers. The cancellation ink usually reflects the color section of the passport—e.g.…

Walk Long Logs Trail

Walk Long Logs Trail

Explore this ancient log jam at the base of purple and gray badlands along a paved half-mile loop.

Round trip, Long Logs Trail is a relatively easy walk of 1.6 miles along a paved path. There are many…

Walk the Tawa Trail

Walk the Tawa Trail

Enjoy the tranquility of the grassland as the paved trail leads you to scenic Tawa Point. The 1.2-mile one way…

You can start the 1.2-mile one way walk from either the Painted Desert Community Complex or Tawa Point. There is…

Enjoy Horseback Riding

Enjoy Horseback Riding

Bring your own horse and take a ride into the backcountry.

Bring your own mount and bring them into the park for riding in the backcountry. You will need water, weed…

Visitor Centers

Painted Desert Inn

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…

Hours: A national historic landmark that is a visitor center, museum, and contact station. Pueblo-Revival style rebuilt in the 1930s by the CCC.

Painted Desert Visitor Center

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…

Hours: Hours may change throughout the year, such as possibly extended hours in the summer. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25.

Rainbow Forest Museum

Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms.

Hours: The museum/visitor center is open the same hours as the rest of the park, 8am to 5pm daily except for Christmas Day.

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