Petrified Forest National Park

Hikers, photographers, and nature lovers will want to spend as much time as possible among the natural wonders of the Petrified Forest, including Crystal Forest, Black Forest, and Rainbow Forest. The Painted Desert offers a multitude of trails for visitors to explore the striated mounds of sedimentary rock. Many travelers opt to combine guided tours with visits to other attractions in Arizona, such as the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley.

• Bring layered clothing, as the desert temperature can fluctuate wildly throughout the day.

• The Painted Desert Visitor Center and the Rainbow Forest Museum are good places to start for an orientation to the area.

• Seven maintained hiking trails allow pets on leash, but no bicycles. (Check out the off-the-beaten-path Jasper Forest hike.)

• No overnight accommodations are available in the park, but nearby Holbrook has several options.

• National park fees get you into the park, but 7-day passes are also available.

Visitors can reach Petrified Forest National Park, about two hours east of Flagstaff via I-40, by car or organized tour. Both visitor centers have ample parking and turnouts for large recreational vehicles.

Temperatures top out above 90°F (32°C) during the summer days but drop to around 40°F (4°C) at night; spring and fall are more popular times to visit. The park is open every day except Christmas, as are the Painted Desert Visitor Center, the Rainbow Forest Museum, and the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.

A variety of educational programs, led by park rangers, are offered throughout the year at Petrified Forest National Park. Activities include a Puerco Pueblo guided walk, a trek along the Giant Logs Trail, a lecture at the Rainbow Forest Museum about the Triassic period, and a tour of Painted Desert Inn. Kids can learn more about the park when they complete a booklet to become a junior park ranger.

The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is fall, particularly October–November when the weather isn’t too hot or cold and there’s less rain. The summer months can be super crowded (and rainy). If chilly weather doesn’t bother you, winter is the slow season. Wildflowers bloom in spring.

You only need one full day to explore Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona. The park’s smaller size makes it easy to see its highlights in about eight hours. You can drive and hike the park on your own or take a tour for a guided adventure.

Yes, it’s worth going to Petrified Forest National Park. Planning your visit is key, especially if you’re staying in the Holbrook or Chambers areas of Arizona. You can either take a scenic drive through the park or hike into the park and stop at main highlights and viewpoints.

No, there aren’t bears that regularly inhabit Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, although there have been reports of black bears at times. The animals you’ll most likely see in the park include coyotes, elk, mule deer, foxes, bobcats, gophers, mice, porcupines, badgers, and bats, as well as reptiles and birds.

There are a few things that you won’t want to miss during your visit to Petrified Forest National Park. The top attractions include the Rainbow Forest Museum, Crystal Forest Trail loop, Tepees South Pullout, Blue Mesa Trail, ruins on Puerco Pueblo Trail, and petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.

Yes, snakes do live in Petrified Forest National Park—in fact, the park is home to prairie rattlesnakes and California kingsnakes, as well as the nocturnal Chihuahuan nightsnake. There are also many types of lizards and toads that call the park home. Monarch butterflies have a natural habitat here, too.