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The park is open year round except for Christmas Day, December 25. Park hours vary from opening at 7:00 or 8:00 AM to closing at 6:00 to 8:00 PM (MST) depending on the time of year. Please note that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time, remaining on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Closures for weather are possible but not frequent.

The Rainbow Forest Museum is located 19 miles south of Holbrook, Arizona on Hwy 180. It features a 20-minute orientation movie, Timeless Impressions, which is shown every half hour. Here you can also experience the Immersive Tour into the Triassic, a computer based experience of the ancient and present environments in the park. There are also exhibits of early reptiles, dinosaurs, and petrified wood. Nearby you will find the .4-mile Giant Logs Trail, a bookstore, gift shop, and restrooms.

The 20-minute Timeless Impressions orientation movie may also be seen at the Painted Desert Visitor Center, located at Exit #311 of I-40. Here you will also find general park information and hands-on geology exhibits. A bookstore, gift shop, restaurant, post office and restroom facilities are also available.

The Junior Ranger program is available for families visiting Petrified Forest National Park to help them learn more about the fascinating park resources. Be sure to pick this information up at the visitor center.

Most restrooms, visitor centers, and picnic areas are accessible or accessible with assistance for wheelchair users. Trails are not accessible.

Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves was the first to document finding petrified wood in this region in 1851. Two years later, Lieutenant Amiel Whipple, during an expedition to find a route for the railroad, was the first to document the petrified wood that would one day be included within Petrified Forest National Park. His expedition naturalist, Balduin Möllhausen, was also the first to publish an account of the expedition with illustrations of the petrified wood.

Petrified Forest National Monument was created by President Theodore Roosevelt on December 8, 1906, stating that, “…the mineralized remains of Mesozoic forests…are of the greatest scientific interest and value and it appears that the public good would be promoted by reserving these deposits of fossilized wood as a National monument with as much land as may be necessary for the proper protection thereof.” Since 1962, the park has been recognized as protecting the best representation of the Late Triassic Period in the world, significant archeological sites representing cultures during over 10,000 years of occupation, recent human history such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, Route 66, and historic architecture, as well as the natural ecosystems rapidly being lost in other areas. (This paragraph is history)

Herbert Lore opened Painted Desert Inn in 1924, nicknamed “The Stone Tree House” due to the petrified wood used in its construction. In 1931, the Civilian Conservation Corps arrived in Petrified Forest National Monument and completed several construction projects over the next few years, including Rainbow Forest Museum, park residences, bridges, roads, trails, Agate House and Puerco Pueblo partial reconstructions, and Painted Desert Inn.

On September 23, 1932, over 53,000 acres, mostly in the Painted Desert, were added to Petrified Forest National Monument. This not only increased the number and kinds of natural and cultural resources, it also added the scenic value of the Painted Desert vistas as a resource to be protected. This ultimately helped to push legislation through to upgrade the national monument to national park status. On December 9, 1962, Petrified Forest National Park was established by an act of Congress, disestablishing the national monument. (A President can designate a national monument, but only Congress can designate a national park.) Over 50,000 acres of designated Wilderness was declared in the park in 1970. President George W. Bush signed a bill on December 3, 2004, that authorized expanded boundaries for Petrified Forest National Park, more than doubling the size of the park, from 93,533 acres to 218,533 acres. Petrified Forest National Monument’s 100 years of history, science, and new discoveries was celebrated in 2006.

Painted Desert Inn and other sections of land owned by Herbert Lore were purchased by Petrified Forest National Monument on February 29, 1936. A rehabilitation project, which began in October of 2004, is now completed.

Within Petrified Forest National Park, nine sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include: Agate House Pueblo (October 6, 1975), Painted Desert Inn (and associated cabins) (October 10, 1975), Painted Desert Petroglyphs and Ruins Archeological District (June 24, 1976), Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District (July 12, 1976), Puerco Ruins and Petroglyphs (July 12, 1976), Flattops Site (archeological site) (July 12, 1976), Twin Buttes Archeological District (July 12, 1976),
35th Parallel Route (also known as the Beale Camel Trail) (December 6, 1977), and Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District (April 15, 2005).

The park contains the petrified remains of trees from the Late Triassic period. Surrounding the petrified wood are untold years of deposition, uplift, and erosion, creating the Chinle Formation. This rock formation creates the red hues of the Painted Desert and the blue tones of the Blue Mesa region. Petrified Forest is situated near the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau with elevations ranging from 5300 feet to 6235 feet.

The colorful mudstones and clays of the Painted Desert badlands are composed of bentonite, a product of altered volcanic ash. The clay minerals in the bentonite can absorb water to as much as seven times their dry volume. The expansion and contraction properties of the bentonite cause rapid erosion by preventing much vegetation from growing on the slopes of the hills.

Other prominent features created by erosion are mesas and buttes. Both have flat tops of more erosion-resistant sandstone over softer clays. Mesas are quite broad but not very tall, while buttes are taller and narrower. The Bidahochi Formation is more erosion resistant than the Chinle Formation. Eventually the harder rock will erode away, leaving the softer clay stone underneath exposed to the elements. This will then become another rolling bentonite hill within the badland landscape.

Paleontology is the study of fossils. Fossils are clues to the past, allowing researchers to reconstruct ancient environments. During the Late Triassic Period, the climate was very different from that of today. Located near the equator, this region was humid and tropical, the landscape dominated by a huge river system. Giant reptiles and amphibians, early dinosaurs, fish, and many invertebrates lived among the dense vegetation and in the winding waterways. New fossils come to light as paleontologists continue to study the Triassic treasure trove of this amazing park.

Imagine a large basin with numerous rivers and streams flowing through the lowland. A lush landscape with coniferous trees up to nine feet in diameter towering almost two hundred feet into the sky surrounds you. Galleries of trees, ferns, and giant horsetails grew abundantly along the waterway, providing food and shelter for many insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other creatures. In the slightly dryer areas a short distance from the water, there were cycads, bennettitaleans, ginkgoes, and coniferous trees.

Over time, trees died or were knocked down by wind or the action of water. Rivers and streams carried the trees downstream, breaking off branches and roots along the way. Many tree trunks came to rest on the banks of the rivers while others were buried in the stream channels. Most of the trees decomposed and disappeared, but some of the trees were petrified, becoming the fossilized logs we see today. Many of the fossilized logs are from a tree called Araucarioxylon arizonicum. Two others, Woodworthia and Schilderia, occur in small quantities in the northern part of the park. All three are now extinct.

Some logs were buried by sediment before they could decompose while volcanoes to the west spewed tons of ash into the atmosphere. Winds carried ash into the area where it was incorporated into the thickening layers of sediment. Ground water dissolved silica from the volcanic ash and carried it through the logs. This solution filled the cells and sometimes replaced the cell walls, crystallizing as the mineral quartz. The process was sometimes so exact that the resulting fossils show many details of the logs’ original surfaces and, occasionally, the internal cell structures. Iron and other minerals combined with quartz during the petrification process, creating the brilliant rainbow of colors. Sometimes crushing or decay left cracks in the logs. Here the growth of quartz crystals was not limited and larger crystals of clear quartz, purple amethyst, yellow citrine, and smoky quartz formed. Since petrified logs are composed of quartz, they are hard and brittle, fracturing easily when subjected to stress. Some researchers believe that such stress may have been produced by earthquakes or by the gradual uplifting of the Colorado Plateau.

While the park is best known for its petrified trees, the Chinle Formation is full of different kinds of fossils and is considered one of the richest Upper Triassic fossil plant deposits in the world. Over 200 fossil plant taxa are known from the Chinle Formation, including silicified wood, compressed leaves, stems, cones, pollen, spores, and amber. Plant groups represented in the park include lycopods, ferns, cycads, conifers, ginkgoes, bennettitaleans, and several forms that are currently unclassified.

Many animal fossils are also found in the park. Thanks to huge skulls armed with powerful biting jaws and 3 inch (7.6 cm) long serrated teeth, the rauisuchians ranked as the top terrestrial predators of the Late Triassic. Species of rauisuchians found in the park include Postosuchus kirkpatricki and Poposaurus gracilis. Some rauisuchians could grow up to 20 feet (6 m) in length.

Phytosaurs were crocodile-like reptiles, some species reaching lengths up to 40 feet (12 m). Nostrils located strategically on top of the head just in front of the eyes allowed it to lurk in the water. Bony plates protected its body and jaws filled with sharp teeth made it a fearsome predator. Living in and near the water, phytosaurs had a diverse diet of fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Several species have been found in Petrified Forest National Park, including Leptosuchus (Smilosuchus) gregorii and Pseudopalatus pristinus.

Placerias hesternus was a dicynodont therapsid. Therapsids were large reptiles that possessed many mammalian characters including a “cheek” bone, enlarged canine teeth, pelvis, and a specialized attachment of the skull to the spine. This massive plant-eater was up to 9 feet (2.7 m) long and might have weighed as much as two tons. Placerias had a short neck, barrel-shaped body, small tail, and a beak-like skull with large tusk-like bones protruding from its upper jaw. The beak-like jaws helped them pull up and tear tough plants and roots. While Placerias is represented in the park by isolated elements, it is common throughout Arizona, particularly near St. Johns, just southeast of the park. As many individual fossils have been found at the St. Johns’ site, it is thought that these animals may have lived in herds.

Aetosaurs were 10-15 foot (3-4.5 m) long reptiles with broad flat bodies protected by plate-like scutes. Some species had large spikes on their sides or back that were possibly used for defense. Aetosaurs had short limbs and small skulls with a pig-like snout for rooting in soil for plants and roots. Desmatosuchus haplocerus or Stagonolepis wellesi are two of the aetosaurs found in Petrified Forest National Park.

Coelophysis was an early dinosaur. It was about 8 feet (2.4 m) long and could weigh 50 pounds (23 kg). The long slender jaws lined with sharp, flattened teeth indicate it was carnivorous. This agile animal probably walked on its hind limbs and used its forelimbs to catch and hold prey. Large eye sockets suggest keen eyesight. Fossil evidence indicates that it may have eaten its own kind.

Metoposaurs were giant amphibians that grew to be 10 feet (3 m) long and weighed up to half a ton. They used their cavernous mouths to sieve water for small fish using sharp teeth to trap them. Like most amphibians, metoposaurs had lungs instead of gills and possibly detected vibrations in the water for hunting. Short weak legs indicate they spent most of their time in the water where they may have waited on the muddy bottom for prey. Two species have been found at Petrified Forest, Buettneria perfecta and Apachesaurus gregorii.

Two types of fresh water sharks lived in the waters of the Petrified Forest area. Lissodus humblei was a blunt-toothed shark about 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) long. The blunt teeth indicate it survived on clams and clam shrimp and was probably a bottom dweller. “Xenacanthus” moorei was a 3-foot (1 m) long prong-toothed shark that fed on smaller fish, aquatic reptiles, and amphibians. It had a slender body with large jaws that were lined with three pronged teeth.

The lungfish, Arganodus dorotheae, was a heavy, slow-moving fish up to 3 feet (1 m) in length and weighing up to 70 pounds (32 kg). It had comb-shaped teeth used as crushing plates for clams. Some lungfish living today are able to leave the water for periods of time and breathe air.

The coelacanth, Chinlea sorenseni, was a large fish reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weighing up to 150 pounds (68 kg). Its jaws were equipped with large, sharp teeth for catching and holding prey. A slim tail and lobed fins enabled it to move quickly through the water.

Horseshoe crabs have been identified by their fossilized tracks (Kouphichnium arizonae), originally left in the soft sediments at the bottom of fresh water lakes and streams. These invertebrates probably ate worms, soft mollusks, plants, and dead fish.

Various fresh water bivalves have been found in the Chinle Formation, some species forming vast colonies in the muddy beds of the ancient lakes and rivers. Antediplodon thomasi is one of the clam fossils found in the park.

Erosion has sculpted and shaped intriguing landforms. The rocks reveal an enthralling chronicle of time that is unfolding and ever-changing. The colorful badland hills, flat-topped mesas, and sculptured buttes of the Painted Desert are primarily made up of the Chinle Formation, mainly fluvial (river related) deposits. Within the park, the layers of the Chinle Formation include the Blue Mesa Member, the Sonsela Member, the Petrified Forest Member, and the Owl Rock Member.

The Blue Mesa Member consists of thick deposits of grey, blue, purple, and green mudstones and minor sandstone beds, the most prominent of which is the Newspaper Rock Sandstone. This unit is best exposed in the Tepees area of the park. The Blue Mesa Member is said to be approximately 234 million years old.

The Sonsela Member is divided into three parts: 1) the lower Rainbow Forest bed consisting of white cross-bedded sandstone and cobbles and containing the logs of the Rainbow Forest, 2) the middle Jim Camp Wash Beds of blue, grey, and purple mudstones and numerous small grey and white sandstone beds, and 3) the upper Flattops One Bed, which consists of a thick cliff-forming brown, cross-bedded sandstone. This sandstone caps Blue Mesa, Agate Mesa, and the mesa north of the Rainbow Forest. The Sonsela Member is said to be approximately 227 million years old.

The Petrified Forest Member consists of thick sequences of reddish mudstones and brown sandstone layers. This member is exposed in the Flattops and the red part of the Painted Desert. The Black Forest Bed, park of the Petrified Forest Member north of Kachina Point, has been determined by some to be 214 million years old.

The Owl Rock Member consists of pinkish-orange mudstones mixed with hard, thin layers of limestone. This member is exposed on Chinde Mesa at the northernmost border of the park. The Owl Rock Member is thought to be 205 million years old.

Scientists say that during the Late Triassic, this region was located on the southwestern edge of the supercontinent Pangaea and just north of the equator. Evidence from ancient soils as well as fossil plants and animals indicates that the climate was humid and sub-tropical during the Late Triassic. The sedimentary layers of the Chinle Formation consist of sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate deposited by a large river system that had cycles of droughts and floods, similar to those affecting many modern river systems. The colorful stripes in the Chinle Formation represent ancient soil horizons. The coloration is due to the presence of various minerals. While the red and green layers generally contain the same amount of iron and manganese, differences in color depend on the position of the groundwater table when the ancient soils were formed. In soils where the water table was high, a reducing environment existed due to a lack of oxygen in the sediments, giving the iron minerals in the soil a greenish or bluish hue. The reddish soils were formed where the water table fluctuated, allowing the iron minerals to oxidize (rust).

Over millions of years, erosion stripped away many layers of rock. It is thought that erosion stripped away the rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods before younger rocks of the Bidahochi Formation, creating a break in the rock record—an unconformity, covered the Chinle rocks. The unconformity between the Late Triassic Chinle Formation and the Miocene-Pliocene Bidahochi Formation can be seen from Whipple Point. In Petrified Forest, this gap represents about 200 million years of missing geological history! Geologists study other areas in the region to learn about the layers absent in the park.

During the Miocene and Pliocene of the Tertiary period (4-8 million years ago) a large lake basin with ephemeral lakes covered much of Northeastern Arizona. Fine-grained fluvial and lacustrine (lake related) sediment such as silt, clay, and sand represent the lower part of the Bidahochi Formation. Volcanoes, both nearby and as far as the Southwestern Nevada Volcanic field, spewed ash and lava over the land and into the basin. Many of the volcanoes were phreatomagmatic, when ground or lake-water mingled with eruptive material (magma) to cause explosive eruptions. The resulting ash formed fine-grained deposits that were deposited within the lake sediments.

After many years of erosion, most of the Bidahochi Formation has been removed from the park area, exposing the volcanic landforms known as scoria cones and maars (flat-bottom, roughly circular volcanic craters of explosive origin). The vent from one of these maars is exposed in the Painted Desert Rim across the park road to the east from Pintado Point. The erosion-resistant lava flows, such as Pilot Rock and the Hopi Buttes, protect the softer lakebed deposits beneath.

Quaternary Period (1.8 million years ago to present) deposits of windblown sand and alluvium (deposited by flowing water), now cover much of the older formations of the park. At higher elevations in the northern part of the park, old dunes can be found. Younger dunes are found in drainage areas that contain sand such as Lithodendron Wash. The youngest dunes are found throughout the park, in all settings, deposited around a thousand years ago. These dune deposits are largely stabilized by vegetation, especially grasses. While not as numerous as the fossils of the Chinle Formation, fossils have been found even in the quaternary sediments, including fragments of an ancestral proboscidean (elephants and their relatives, such as mammoths). The Little Colorado River and its tributaries, including the Puerco River, have cut their own valleys into the soft Chinle and Bidahochi Formations of the Painted Desert.

Present and Future Water erosion is the major geologic process that removes the exposed bentonite and sandstone revealing more of the petrified wood and other fossils. While erosion can be relatively fast in the Painted Desert, the actual rate is variable due to the material, the slope, and the presence of vegetation and pebbles. Bentonite clay, one of the main components of Chinle Formation rocks, swells as it absorbs moisture, then shrinks and cracks as it dries, causing surface movement that discourages plant growth. This lack of plant cover renders the sediment susceptible to weathering. Heavy rains of the summer monsoons remove as much as ¼ inch of rock each year from the steep, barren slopes. In addition, water creates small tunnels (pipes) in the hills, which widen into large gullies through time. This gullying carves the canyons that exist between the mudstone hills, giving the badlands their dissected appearance.

Where capstones of harder sandstone or basalt protect the soft Chinle layers, mesas (broad flat-topped hills) and buttes (narrow flat-topped hills) form. These landforms can erode at a substantially decreased rate due to the protective capstones. Similarly, where vegetation grows, erosion is much slower. In some areas, strong winds carry away the dry, loose soil leaving only a covering of surface pebbles, called desert pavement, which act as a protective crust.

Petrified Forest National Park contains many fine examples of petroglyph images pecked into stone. Petroglyphs are images, symbols, or designs that are scratched, pecked, carved, or incised on natural rock surfaces. Created by people hundreds, even thousands, of years ago, petroglyphs are fascinating.

The dark coating found on many rock surfaces is called desert varnish. This natural patina is formed of iron and manganese oxides fixed with clay particles by microorganisms to the rock. Many petroglyphs are made by pecking or scratching through this thin patina to reveal the original color of the interior of the rock. Eventually, desert varnish redeposits, also called repatination, darkening over time. Some researchers hope that repatination may help with dating petroglyphs. Determining the age of petroglyphs is a difficult task. Most of the petroglyphs in the park are thought to range between 650 to 2000 years old.

Anthropomorphous and Kachinas represent the human form. Anthropomorphic figures may have complete bodies but generally lack facial features. Hand and footprints appear on many panels. Cultural items sometimes associated with human figures include rattles, dance wands, pahos (prayer sticks), standards, and ceremonial staffs. Kachina figures and masks appear in petroglyphs by A.D. 1300 in this area. Kachinas are spiritual beings that live in lakes, springs, and mountains that bring moisture to the Hopi villages and the Zuni people. Zoomorphs include large and small animals, reptiles, and birds. You may see cougars, birds, lizards, snakes, bats, coyotes, and rabbits on the petroglyph panels in the park. Hunters are sometimes seen in conjunction with prey. Geometrics consist of textile and pottery designs, spirals, circles, straight and wavy lines, “squiggle-mazes”, and other geometric shapes. Often, the same patterns are found in the artwork of living Pueblo people, such as the Hopi and Zuni.

The paved trail leading through Puerco Pueblo ends at an overlook to view a small circular petroglyph. Although it isn’t as complex or elaborate as some of the other images, this is a special petroglyph. It marks the summer solstice. For about a two-week period around June 21, there is an interaction of light and shadow that passes across the rings of the petroglyph as the sun rises. Rangers will be available in the morning during the summer solstice at Puerco Pueblo.

Archaeoastronomy is the term used to describe the study of the heavens by the ancient people. Petroglyphs and pictographs (images painted with mineral or vegetal pigment) such as the Puerco Pueblo solar marker are found throughout the Southwest and beyond. While some mark the summer solstice, others indicate winter solstice and both equinoxes. Evidence also indicates that some petroglyphs interact forty-five days before and after the winter solstice.

Periods associated with the different styles of petroglyphs in Petrified Forest include the Archaic (6000 B.C. to A.D. 300), Basketmaker (A.D. 1-700) and Pueblo I, III, and IV (A.D. 700-1450). A few Navajo petroglyphs have also been found (A.D. 1750 to the present). Unfortunately, images on the petroglyph panels also include modern additions.

Not all plants at Petrified Forest National Park are fossils. Living plants are critical components within the Painted Desert landscape. Plants capture particulate dust in the air, filter gaseous pollutants, convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, provide habitat for animals, and supply raw materials for humans.

Plants of arid climates have adaptations that enable them to survive the extremes of temperature and the “all-or-nothing” nature of the precipitation. These adaptations can be grouped in two basic categories, drought escapers and drought resistors. Drought escapers are plants that take advantage of favorable growing conditions when they exist, but go dormant when those conditions disappear. They are usually annuals, growing only when enough water is available. Seeds produced under good conditions can lie dormant for years if conditions are not favorable for germination. Most grasses and wildflowers are drought escapers.

Drought resistors are typically perennials. They have mechanisms for reducing the damage a drought can cause. For example, some will drop their leaves if water is unavailable. Many have small, hairy leaves that reduce exposure to air currents and solar radiation and thereby limit the amount of water lost to evaporation. Cacti, yuccas and mosses are examples of drought resistors. Yuccas have extensive taproots that can reach water beyond the ability of other plants. Mosses can tolerate complete dehydration. When rains return after extensive dry periods, mosses green up immediately.

Grasses are one of the most important plants within the grassland ecosystem of Petrified Forest National Park. Large expanses of grasslands form where wind-blown sediment and erosion have created a layer of soil several feet thick. One of the most devastating causes of grassland destruction is grazing by cattle and horses. Because grazing is not allowed within the park, the area has returned to a more natural grassland state.

Most grasses fit into two basic groups, bunch grass and sod-forming grass. Bunch grasses are classic arid adapted grasses occurring in scattered clumps. Their spread out growth pattern reduces competition for limited soil nutrients and water. Examples of bunch grasses are rice grass and needle-and-thread grass. The large rice grass seeds are rich in protein and were an important source of food for American Indians. Needle-and-thread grass has a sharp seed attached to a “thread” which develops in a spiral, wound fashion. As the thread unwinds, it drives the seed into the ground. Both of these grasses are perennial, becoming dormant during droughts. Rice grass plants have been known to live over 100 years, through wet and dry times. Sod-forming grasses are what most people have in their yards. Galleta and Blue Grama, sod-forming perennials native to Petrified Forest National Park, usually grow together. Cheat grass was accidentally brought to the United States in the 1800s and is now found throughout the park.

Wildflowers have adapted to the arid climate at Petrified Forest National Park in many different ways. Thick waxy coverings on leaves and stems reduce evaporation. Small leaves reduce the effects of solar radiation and water loss. Deep taproots reach far into the soil to find water while shallow widespread roots catch and absorb surface water quickly. Despite these adaptations, wildflowers avoid drought and heat by hiding in the soil as seeds or bulbs, sometimes for decades. Germination only occurs after significant seasonal rainfall.

Not all wildflowers bloom during the day. Some take advantage of cooler night temperatures to open their flowers. These evening-blooming plants include Evening Primrose, Sacred Datura, Sand Verbena, and Yucca. The yucca and the yucca Moth have a fascinating dependency on one another that includes trysts in the night. After mating, the female moth gathers pollen from a Yucca flower and packs it into a ball. She then flies into the night until locating another Yucca flower. Here she lays eggs in the base of the flower’s pistil and packs pollen from her pollen ball down into the pistil, providing food for her young when they hatch. She visits several flowers during the night, each time distributing the pollen from flower to flower. Thus she fertilizes the Yucca flowers while ensuring that her young will have nutrients to live on. Yucca plants and moths have a symbiotic relationship: Yucca flowers are only pollinated by Yucca Moths and Yucca Moth larvae only feed on Yucca pollen.

April and May, following winter snow and rain, are generally the best months to see wildflowers throughout the Southwest. Beginning in late August, if the summer monsoon season (July-August) has brought significant rainfall, different species bloom and color the landscape once again.

In many areas of the park, lichens, especially the shaded north side of a rock, cover the large collections of exposed rock surfaces. Lichen is actually a simple community of at least two mutually dependent organisms: fungi and green algae. When both organisms are dependent on the other, they are said to be symbiotic. Green algae use the photosynthesis process to produce food for the fungi, while the fungi protect the algae from the elements and extracts nutrients from soil and rock. The lichen structure is more elaborate and durable than either fungi or algae alone.

Lichens are well adapted to arid climates. They can continue food production at any temperature above freezing. Lichens can absorb more than their own weight of water and can absorb ephemeral water, such as dew, almost directly into their cells. The water does not need to go through roots and stems as it does in vascular plants.

Many other plants benefit from the presence of lichens. The green algae component of lichens can transform nitrogen in the air, which is unusable to most organisms, into a form that is essential for life. This is especially important in arid climates where lack of nitrogen is known to limit productivity.

Park activities include the park film, museums, sightseeing, auto-touring, photography, walking, hiking and wilderness backpacking. A variety of ranger programs are given year round with an increased number during the summer. A program schedule is displayed at visitor contact areas. With advanced notice the park has several programs for school groups. Call the park for additional information.

The best way to enjoy and experience Petrified Forest National Park is on foot. Maintained trails range in length from less than a half-mile to almost three miles.

The Puerco Pueblo is a .3-mile loop trail. You can walk amidst the remains of a hundred-room pueblo, occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people. Petroglyphs are one of the mysteries left behind by these ancient people. Do not climb on the boulders or walls. Please do not touch the petroglyphs.

The Giant Logs is a .4-mile loop trail. It is located behind the Rainbow Forest Museum where you can find a trail guide available. Giant Logs features some of the largest and most colorful logs in the park. “Old Faithful”, at the top of the trail, is almost ten feet across the base.

The Crystal Forest is a .75-mile loop trail. Despite more than a century of collecting, a few beautiful crystals hide in the colorful petrified logs at Crystal Forest. Please leave them for others to enjoy.

The Painted Desert Rim Trail is a 1-mile round trip. This trail winds through the rim woodland, a place for chance encounters of many species of plants and animals. The view of the Painted Desert is spectacular.

The Blue Mesa is a moderately strenuous 1-mile loop trail. Descending from the mesa, this trail loops among badland hills of bluish bentonite clay and petrified wood. Plant fossils, including delicate ferns, have been found in the sedimentary layers of Blue Mesa.

The Long Logs Trial is a 1.6-mile loop trail. Long Logs is one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the park. Explore this ancient logjam at the base of gray badlands.

The Agate House is a 2-mile round trip trail. Archeologists believe that this small pueblo was occupied for a short time about 700 years ago. Seasonal farmers or traders possibly built Agate House as a temporary home.

The Long Logs and Agate House Trails can be combined for a total of 2.6 miles round trip. They begin at the Rainbow Forest parking area.

Horses are allowed in the Wilderness Areas. No permits are required for day trips.
Horseback riding at Petrified Forest National Park can be a unique and rewarding experience. You can ride for a few hours or a few days. Be prepared, check the weather conditions, and know the limits of yourself and your horse.

Much of the backcountry at Petrified Forest National Park is within designated Wilderness, one of the first two designated Wilderness Areas within the National Park System. Wilderness was designated within Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve at the same time as Petrified Forest National Park. Wilderness backpacking is another great way to experience the park. Access to the Painted Desert Wilderness is near Kachina Point, in the northern section of the park. The Wilderness Access trailhead is on the northwest side of Painted Desert Inn. This one-mile trail leads into the Wilderness Area as it crosses Lithodendron Wash.

The National Park Service places a high priority on encouraging, restoring, or maintaining plant and animal diversity in all of its sites across the country. One of the fronts in the battle to maintain healthy balanced ecosystems is waged against invasive species.

Non-native species (also referred to as invasives, exotics, introduced, or nonindigenous species) have been introduced intentionally or unintentionally into new ecosystems. An invasive species is a non-native whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive species take over habitat, squeezing out the native flora and fauna. This reduces biodiversity, interferes with soil productivity, damages or replaces native populations, and changes land and water quality. Each year invasive plants cause billions of dollars in damage to public and private lands and the ecosystems upon which we all depend. In the National Park Service, 196 national park areas have serious problems posed by invasive plant species. The costs of managing weeds were estimated at $80 million from 1996-2000.

Of particular concern on the Colorado Plateau are plants which are invading rangelands and waterways. Control of infestations has been difficult and the ecological consequences have been serious. Invasive weeds, which are of particular concern, include camelthorn, Canadian thistle, Russian knapweed, cheatgrass, common purslane, and field bindweed. These plants grow where the earth has been disturbed and little competition for resources exists. They establish root systems and grow strong enough to expand aggressively. Some have seeds, which can lie dormant for many years, even up to half a century. Others have extensive horizontal root systems, which can spread, rapidly over large areas. They may germinate in the fall and produce seeds in the early spring. The seedlings then have a considerable head start, stealing water from native seedlings, which sprout later in the season.

Russian olives and tamarisk, or saltcedar, were introduced to the Southwest with the good intentions of providing ornamental plants and natural erosional controls. Unfortunately, these invasive species have taken over a lot of native habitat. They crowd out cottonwoods and willows at water sources, which in turn affect migrating and breeding bird species. The result has been a significant decrease in biodiversity and ecosystem health along much of the Colorado Plateau’s waterways, including waterways within Petrified Forest National Park.

Preserved and protected for future generations, our national parks and their resources need everyone’s care. Every year, up to a million people visit Petrified Forest National Park. Permanent damage to this area occurs quickly from such impact but is slow to mend. Please leave the park undisturbed—take only pictures and memories.

A variety of factors contribute to the erosion of petroglyphs including natural forces such as wind, rain, extreme temperatures, plant growth, and rock type. Perhaps the most devastating factor is human. Sad to say, vandalism of rock art sites has escalated, including bullet holes, graffiti, and removal of petroglyphs or entire panels. Even the seemingly innocent touch can harm petroglyphs. Oil from your hands can damage the petroglyphs and desert varnish. For your own safety and the preservation of the petroglyphs, stay on the trails. Do not climb down to the petroglyphs. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law—even if the damage is unintentional. Petroglyphs are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. Your assistance is needed in preserving this rich cultural heritage.

Summer days are generally hot with temperatures in the 90F’s. Summer nights range from 50-60F. Average winter daytime temperatures vary from 40-50F with nighttime lows in the 20F’s. Temperatures can dip below 0F. Annual rainfall is 9-10 inches with 40% occurring as thunderstorms in the late summer. Winters are mild with occasional snow, frequently freezing overnight but warming by mid-afternoon to an average of 40 F. The average relative humidity of the area is well below 50%, at times less than 15%, making even the hot summer days quite tolerable. Weather records show that the average June relative humidity is 26%, while the average August humidity is 47%. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Interesting weather patterns and the rapidly changing seasons provide a favorable environment for visitors throughout the year. On a cold clear winter day, the landscape opens for 100 miles in all directions. From Pintado Point overlooking the Painted Desert, the snow-covered San Francisco Peaks can be seen on the horizon. On hot, breezy summer days, dust devils are frequent visitors, traveling rapidly across the landscape.

Snow and rain occur throughout the winter months, from as early as October to as late as March. Although snow quickly melts, the moisture leaves the colors within the Painted Desert vibrant in the crisp, cool air.

The monsoon season occurs in July and August, providing the majority of annual rainfall. Mornings often dawn clear, but thunderheads begin to form by late morning. Almost every afternoon short outbursts of rain with spectacular lightning, roaring thunder, and sometimes hail cool the air and are a welcome relief from the summer heat. Summertime visitors should be aware of lightning danger and avoid hilltops at these times. Inside a vehicle or building is the safest place from which to observe a sudden storm and its associated light show.

Northeastern Arizona is the windiest section of the state. The relatively flat, lightly vegetated plateaus and valleys do very little to slow air movement. A consistent summer breeze averages around 10 miles per hour. Mornings tend to be calm with afternoon heat creating stronger wind patterns. Winds of late winter and spring can reach 40 miles per hour and higher. Although the summer breeze helps moderate the heat, the winter wind can add a biting wind chill factor to the air. High winds can occur any time of year. Use caution when driving in high winds, particularly high profile vehicles such as RVs. When outside your vehicle protect your eyes from sand carried in the wind.

Blinding sandstorms are not uncommon during the heated summer months. Also, dust devils, small vortices of wind filled with dust, are seen frequently in the summer. They are created on clear days as solar heat warms different surface types. The up-rush of warm air creates an unstable interface and the mass begins to rotate. A dust devil lasts anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more and may reach several thousand feet in height. In the wide-open vistas of the park, several dust devils may be observed crossing the landscape on a hot summer day.

Current Park Weather

Petrified Forest National Park is only open to the public for day use. Park access is prohibited during closed hours except by permit. Please follow park regulations for your safety and for the safety of park resources.

Do not remove any natural or cultural object from the park, including fossils, rocks, animals, plants, and artifacts. Do not relocate objects within the park. This changes the context of the objects. Context, where and how fossils and artifacts are found and described, is as important as the objects themselves. It is a minimum fine of $325 for removal or damage to petrified wood or other natural or cultural artifacts and features. Gift shops sell petrified wood that comes from private land, outside the park.

Stay on designated trails in developed hiking areas. Off-trail hiking damages the fragile grassland environment and disturbs wildlife habitat, creating unsightly “social” trails. Leaving the designated trail can also be hazardous for hikers due to loose rock and dangerous cliffs. Avoid cliff edges and steep slopes. Do not climb on prehistoric or historic walls. Rock surfaces are unstable. Do not climb down to the petroglyphs. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law—even if the damage is unintentional. Petroglyphs are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. Direct physical contact with rock art is prohibited. We ask for your assistance in preserving this rich cultural heritage.

Pets must be leashed (no longer than 6 feet) and physically restrained at all times. Pets are prohibited in buildings, Wilderness Areas, or Wilderness Access Trails. Pets are allowed on maintained trails and must be kept on leash. Pets may not be tied to an object and left unattended for longer than 5 minutes. Please clean up after your pet.

No pets, bicycles, motorized vehicles, or firearms are allowed in the Wilderness Areas. Firearms must be broken down, unloaded, cased, and stored in your vehicle. Carrying or use of firearms in park is prohibited. The consumption of alcohol or the presence of open alcoholic containers is prohibited, except in picnic areas or concession food service facilities.

Ground fires are prohibited at all times. The use of solar, propane, and white gas fuel stoves and charcoal grills are allowed in designated picnic areas. During periods of extreme fire danger, charcoal grills are prohibited.

Bury human waste. If you pack it in, pack it back out. Leave no trash behind. Do not litter. Use appropriate receptacles, including recycling containers located at Painted Desert Visitor Center. Cigarette butts are considered litter, too! Follow the Leave No Trace principles.

Take all the water you will need when traveling through the park and when hiking. Drinking water is not available at stops along the park road. No water is available when hiking in the backcountry. One gallon per person per day is recommended during summer months when hiking. Water for horses may be obtained at the service station by the Painted Desert Visitor Center. Again, no water is available in the Wilderness Area.

Two miles north of the Painted Desert Visitor Center, is the Wilderness Access trail near Kachina Point, on the northwest side of Painted Desert Inn. Here you will find horse trailer parking and loading/unloading room. Please park your trailer so that it does not interfere with vehicle traffic flow. The first section of switchbacks descends 400 feet on an unstable surface, with steep drop-offs. Depending on your capability, you may want to lead your horse down. Once in the Painted Desert, there is very little grade change and riding is easy. Do not leave horses unattended to prevent encounters with other park visitors. Horses are prohibited on paved trails and paved roads, with the exception of park service horses on patrol. Feed must be certified weed-free. Clean up after horses when in developed areas.

Vehicle travel is limited to the paved park road. Off road travel is not allowed. Obey posted speed limits for your safety and that of wildlife that may be crossing the road. Park in designated parking areas only. Please do not stop along the roadway or in the middle of the road. All vehicles, including buses, microbuses, and vans, are prohibited from idling their engines for extended periods of time. Idling cannot exceed 5 minutes during periods of inclement weather and 2 minutes at all other times.

Be aware that elevations average 5,800 feet within the park. Wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the Arizona sun. The sun’s rays are stronger due to the high elevations. Keep hydrated, rest, snack lightly, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes to prevent high altitude sickness. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

If you are injured or ill while visiting the park, contact a ranger at any Visitor Center facility. For lost or found items, contact a ranger at any Visitor Center facility or call the park at (928) 524-6228. Yellow emergency phones are located at Puerco Pueblo, Blue Mesa, and Crystal Forest parking areas. Use the phones for emergencies and to report theft of resources such as petrified wood. The park number for EMERGENCIES ONLY is (928) 524-9726.

Animal life at Petrified Forest includes amphibians, birds, insects, spiders, mammals, and reptiles. Birds, lizards and some rodents are seen most frequently, though seasons and weather play a large role in determining what animals are active. Early morning is the best time to view most of the mammals while in the park.

One way to categorize animal life is by what part of the day the animals are most active. Most desert animals are “nocturnal or active at night. This is an adaptation not only to avoid high summer daytime temperatures, but also to avoid certain predators. Nocturnal animals include kangaroo rats, woodrats (also called packrats) and most other small desert rodents, skunks, foxes, bobcats, bats and owls.

Animals that are most active at dawn and dusk are “crepuscular.” These times of day are cooler than midday and the half-darkness makes prey animals less visible, yet visibility is good enough to locate food. Some animals are crepuscular mostly because their prey is crepuscular and they include pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and many songbirds.

A few desert animals are primarily “diurnal,” most active during the day. These include pronghorn, squirrels, lizards, snakes, hawks, and Golden Eagles.

For many animals, activity occurs during a particular temperature range so they alter their active times of day depending on the season. Snakes and lizards go into an inactive state of torpor (inactivity) during the winter; they are active during the day in late spring and early fall, but they become crepuscular during the heat of summer. Many insects also alter their times of activity. Mosquitoes, for example, may be out at dawn, day, dusk or night depending on the temperatures and moisture. You are much more likely to see animal life at Petrified Forest National Park if you come as early as park hours allow and stay as late as allowed. These are also the times when the angle of the sun makes the views and colors of the Painted Desert most spectacular.

Whenever you are in a national park, do not approach, feed, or harass any wildlife. This protects the natural feeding and behavior habits of the animals. Animals that beg for food can be aggressive and may bite or harm people. Please do not allow your pets near animals. Do not handle injured or dead animals. Help your parks reduce the impact of human visitors to the homeland of many wild species.

When you look around at the arid landscape of Petrified Forest National Park, it’s hard to imagine that animals that require consistent moisture could possibly thrive here, but they do. Toads survive in arid climates because of their permeable skin. Amphibians do not drink water; they absorb it. Most terrestrial amphibians like the toad have an area of skin called the pelvic patch. This thin patch has a network of capillaries that absorb moisture from the environment. The downside of permeable skin is that what is easily absorbed is also easily lost to evaporation. Burrowing into moist earth provides some protection, but “desiccation,” or drying out, is a common life-threatening problem in arid climates.

Because of the hydration properties of the pelvic patch, toads do not need to live near water. They tend to range further from the water’s edge than their relatives and are better suited for an arid lifestyle.

Like many national park areas, Petrified Forest National Park provides a unique place of protection and preservation for birds. Here, birds can find food and shelter that may not be available in other regions on their journeys from habitat to habitat. Patches of healthy, undeveloped habitats are found in the modern fragmented landscape, connected by corridors such as Petrified Forest.

Petrified Forest has a variety of habitats. Raptors, songbirds, and ground birds can be found in the grassland. The riparian corridor of Puerco River provides food and shelter for year-round residents as well as migrants such as warblers, vireos, avocets, killdeer, and others. The exotic and native trees and shrubs around the Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum provide home for migrants and residents such as Western Tanagers, Hermit Warblers, and House Finches. The park also offers sightings of vagrant shore birds and rare eastern birds not seen often in Arizona. Maricopa Audubon Society members have found rarities, such as black-throated Blue Warbler. September and early October seem to be the best time to visit the area to see these fascinating vagrants.Mammals are a diverse group of animals that share several characteristics: warm blood, fur or hair, and production of milk for their offspring. Forty-five species of mammals are known to live in Petrified Forest National Park. Some animals, like desert cottontails, kangaroo rats, and pronghorn, are very common and frequently seen by visitors.

In the high plateau of northeast Arizona, mammals have a variety of survival strategies. Physiologically, some mammals have developed hollow hairs that serve as insulation. Behaviorally, some hide in their burrows, migrate, or are nocturnal, using the night to survive the heat of summer or to escape notice of predators.

Rodents are numerous at the park. Because of their size, these animals are less able to migrate, but have an easier time finding shelter and require less food and water to live. One rodent uniquely adapted to life in an arid climate is the kangaroo rat. It never drinks water. The dry seeds it eats metabolize to provide the moisture needed within its body. Specialized kidneys allow the disposal of waste with very little loss of water. However, even the kangaroo rat chooses to spend the hottest daylight hours sleeping in a cool underground burrow and may even plug the opening with dirt or debris for insulation. Kangaroo rats are often seen crossing roads at night, balancing with their furry tails as they hop on elongated hind legs.

Another rodent, the prairie dog, lives in large colonies or “towns.” Each town is divided into areas called wards, which are further divided into social groups called coteries. In each coterie, there will be an adult male, several females, and their offspring. As prairie dogs browse for forbs or grass, designated guards watch for danger. The guards’ high-pitched cries announce the approach of predators, sending the town’s inhabitants running for their burrows. Prairie dogs are a favorite food source for coyotes, hawks, golden eagles, foxes, badgers, and bobcats.

Another popular prey for predators is the black-tailed jackrabbit. Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits. Unlike rabbits, jackrabbits don’t build nests and their young are born with eyes wide open, ready to go. To escape their predators, jackrabbits dash away in an explosion of speed, their zigzagging route broken by long leaps. They can sometimes be seen resting in the shade of a sage or saltbush. In the heat of summer their ears act as air-conditioners; blood vessels in the long, thin ears exchanging heat with the surrounding air.

A flying mammal, the pallid bat, is one of the many bat species found in the Southwest. They are best recognized by their pale coloring, blond fur and pink faces. Insectivores, they are an important part of the environment, eating hundreds of arthropods during the night including beetles, centipedes, moths, cicadas, praying mantises, grasshoppers, crickets, and even scorpions. Their acrobatic flight is a pleasure to watch. Larger mammals, like pronghorn and coyote, must cover much territory in order to find food and water. The fastest mammal in North America, elegant pronghorn, frequently called antelope, can sprint up to 60 miles per hour. They are frequently seen in the park’s grasslands, traveling alone or in small herds. Opportunistic foragers, pronghorn feed on forbs, shrubs, grasses, juniper, and sometimes even on cacti. During late spring and into summer, look for the gangly offspring of the pronghorn shadowing their mothers.

Coyotes are the ever-present symbol of the west. This gray and tawny predator is a member of the canine family. Coyotes help control rodents, which make up a large percentage of their diet. They are true omnivores, eating whatever they can find including fruits, reptiles, insects, small mammals, birds, and carrion. Coyotes are often seen crossing the park roads early in the morning. If you acquire a permit to hike and overnight in the wilderness, you will likely hear their lonely howls in the night.

Reptiles occupy a variety of habitats ranging from grasslands to rocky slopes and play an important role in maintaining the health of an ecosystem. They consume large quantities of insects, spiders, scorpions, small mammals, and other reptiles, thereby preventing infestations of any single species. Respecting the entire reptile community helps to preserve this vital link.

All reptiles are “ectothermic,” or cold-blooded, regulating body temperature via external sources rather than internal metabolism. The metabolic rate of a reptile is very low, but so are its energy needs. Keeping warm in the Arizona sunshine does not require much work, so energy generated can be used for reproduction and finding food instead of for heating and cooling. Of course, there are limitations to this type of adaptation. Since they cannot pant or sweat, reptiles are not able to endure extremely high temperatures without shade. They also cannot endure freezing temperatures. When it is cold, they hibernate or enter into an inactive torpor.

A few of the lizards and snakes to be seen in the park include the collared lizard, plateau striped whiptails, side-blotched lizard, the gopher snake, the western rattlesnake, and the kingsnake.

When lizards are seen scurrying across a rock or path, please resist the urge to catch them. Lizards can have a mean bite and some will actually shed a tail to escape capture. Though the tail will grow back, a great deal of body energy is used in the process and population dynamics will be affected. Enjoy them from a respectful distance.

Driving too fast or being inattentive is never safe, but doubly so in and near the park as humans invade the natural resident’s space; namely the many forms of wildlife that call the Petrified Forest area their home. Hundreds of thousands of people visit these wilderness areas every year, and do so safely; enjoying the wildlife from a safe distance as they respect one of Nature’s most beautiful regions.

Individuals entering the park on foot or by bicycle are charged $5 for 7 days. A Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass can be purchased for $20. A private vehicle entering the park is charged $10 for 7 days.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act established a new pass program to replace the National Park Pass and Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports. As of January 1, 2007, the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program will provide a number of pass options for the public to use at Federal recreation sites where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged. The four passes in the interagency program.

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Annual Pass – $80
The Annual Pass replaces the National Park Pass and Golden Eagle Passport. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free. The pass can be obtained in person at the park, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Senior Pass – $10
The Senior Pass replaces the Golden Age Passport. This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free. The pass can only be obtained in person at the park.

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Access Pass – Free. This pass replaces the Golden Access Passport. This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free. The pass can only be obtained in person at the park.

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Volunteer Pass – Free. This pass is for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free.

It is always best to check with the park prior to your arrival to confirm the current fee amount.

No campgrounds or lodging are available in the park, but nearby communities offer full service accommodations. Nearby areas with lodging include Holbrook (30 minutes west), Flagstaff (2 hours west), and Gallup (1 hour east).

Overnight backpacking is available in the Petrified Forest Wilderness area only. For those who wish to stay overnight in the Wilderness Area, a free permit must be obtained at least one hour before the park closes. Permits are issued from either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Backcountry permits are also available at Painted Desert Inn Hikers must park their cars in the Painted Desert Inn parking area and use the access trail on the northwest side of the building. Backpackers must hike to a designated zone north of Lithodendron Wash before setting up camp. No campsites are maintained in the Wilderness Area.

Group camping is limited to 8. Because of the slow rate of decomposition and the fragile desert environment, minimum impact camping is very important. This includes limiting the number of people within an area.

The Homolovi Ruins State Park, the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, and the Canyon De Chelly National Monument, are within 100 miles of the park. The Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument are within approximately 150 miles. Also nearby are Grand Canyon National Park, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Sitgreaves National Forest, Tonto National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Gila National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Apache National Forest, Fort Apache Indian Reservation, and Navajo Indian Reservation.

The nearest major airports are in Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. From Phoenix, you have several choices. Travel Interstates 17 North and 40 East, passing through Flagstaff (259 miles) or travel Highway 87 North to Payson, Highway 260 East to Heber, Highway 377 North to Holbrook, and Highway 180 South to the park (215 miles). From Albuquerque, travel 204 miles west on Interstate 40 to Exit 311.

Travel through the park is by private vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, or commercial tour only. The park road, parking lots, and pullouts are suitable for large recreation vehicles, including those towing smaller vehicles.

Petrified Forest National Park stretches north and south between Interstate 40 and Highway 180. The park road allows visitors to travel through the park from end to end without backtracking. Eastbound travelers should enter at the south off Highway 180, and exit at the north onto Interstate 40. Westbound travelers should enter at the north at Exit 311 off Interstate 40, and exit at the south onto Highway 180.

Petrified Forest National Park has one main road with an entrance station at either end. Driving non-stop, through the park, takes 45 minutes. The average length of stay is 2 hours but remaining all day is also common. The park is locked at night and visitors must be in their cars and driving towards an exit at closing time.

Navigating through the park is not a problem in a large RV, even when pulling a trailer. All but two of the points of interest have pull through parking areas. The only difficult spots are the Pintado Point and Agate Bridge parking areas. When other vehicles are present, turning around in an RV can be difficult.

Bicycles are permitted only on the established paved roadway. Bicycles are not allowed on paved or dirt trails or off road at any time. The Blue Mesa Loop Road offers cyclists a chance to get off of their bicycles and stretch their legs as they ride through the park. They can park at the pullout adjacent to the Blue Mesa Loop Road turn off. The ride in and back out is approximately 3.5 miles and offers panoramic views from the edge of Blue Mesa with glimpses of petrified wood eroding from the landscape.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Petrified Forest:

By Car:

Tucson, AZ – 266.10 miles

Phoenix, AZ – 261.16 miles

Flagstaff, AZ – 118.04 miles

Las Vegas, NV – 368.94 miles

St. George, UT – 399.82 miles

Albuquerque, NM – 210.01 miles

By Plane:

Phoenix Regional Airport – 268.36 miles

Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Visitor Information: (928) 524-6228

Fax: (928) 524-3567

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