The Petrified Forest National Park preserves the world's most extensive deposit of petrified wood along with stunning Painted Desert badlands in brilliant purples, pinks, and whites. The 28-mile scenic drive connects both areas, and the historic Painted Desert Inn (1924, now a museum) adds architectural interest.
Petrified Forest National Park encompasses one of the world's most extensive and well-preserved deposits of petrified wood alongside some of the American Southwest's most startlingly colorful badland terrain — the Painted Desert, a 50-kilometer band of Triassic-period mudstone in purples, lavenders, whites, reds, and grays stretching across the park's northern boundary. Located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Phoenix via Interstate 40 east, the drive takes around three hours and crosses from the Sonoran Desert into the high plateaus of northeastern Arizona at over 1,700 meters elevation.
The park is entered either from the north via Exit 311 off I-40 at the Painted Desert Visitor Center, or from the south near Holbrook via US-180. Visitors arriving from Phoenix approach from the west on I-40, entering at the north and following the park's 28-mile scenic drive south — the most logical sequence, placing the Painted Desert overlooks first and the archaeological and paleontological sites deeper in the park.
The Painted Desert Visitor Center screens an orientation film and houses geology exhibits near the park's north entrance. One mile east, the Painted Desert Inn — a 1924 structure later redesigned by National Park Service architect Mary Colter and now a National Historic Landmark — operated as a Harvey House property until 1963 and now functions as a museum. Its interior murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie are among its most significant cultural features; entry is included with the park admission fee.
Further south along the scenic drive, Puerco Pueblo presents the partial excavation of a 100-room ancestral Puebloan village occupied around 1300 CE. Newspaper Rock — viewable via an overlook telescope — has one of the highest concentrations of petroglyphs in the Southwest. Crystal Forest, midway through the park, preserves a dense concentration of large silicified log sections on a paved 0.8-mile loop. Blue Mesa in the park's center offers a 1-mile loop through dramatic blue-and-purple badland terrain that represents the park's most photogenic landscape.
The park prohibits removal of any petrified wood, including small fragments — penalties are significant. Legal specimens are available for purchase at the park's Painted Desert Inn gift shop or at souvenir stores outside the south entrance in Holbrook. Picnic facilities exist at the Rainbow Forest picnic area near the south entrance; there are no full-service restaurants within the park.
Suggested itinerary
- Leave Phoenix 7am. Arrive Petrified Forest north entrance 10am. Drive scenic 28-mile park road south to south entrance. Hike Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest trails. Lunch at Painted Desert Inn. Exit south side. Return via I-40.
Highlights
- Painted Desert Visitor Center and overlooks
- Painted Desert Inn (Mary Colter design)
- Puerco Pueblo (ancestral Puebloan ruins)
- Newspaper Rock petroglyphs
- Crystal Forest petrified wood
- Blue Mesa badlands trail (short easy loop)
Tips for visiting
- Enter from the north (Exit 311 on I-40) and exit via the south entrance onto US-180 toward Holbrook — this covers the entire park in sequence without backtracking.
- Bring a packed lunch; food services inside the park are limited to a snack bar at the Painted Desert Visitor Center, and better meals are available in Holbrook (20 minutes from the south exit).
- The Blue Mesa trail (1-mile loop) and Crystal Forest trail (0.8-mile paved loop) are the most visually distinctive short walks — both can be completed within 90 minutes combined.
- Summer afternoon thunderstorms in July and August can develop rapidly across the exposed badlands; check forecasts and avoid backcountry trails if storms are forecast.
- The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers the $25 Petrified Forest entry fee and pays for itself across two national parks in a year — worthwhile for anyone on a longer Southwest road trip.
When to visit
April through June and September through October offer the best conditions — mild temperatures, low chance of afternoon storms, and ideal light for the Painted Desert's color palette. Summer brings dramatic monsoon activity from mid-July but also intense heat on the exposed badlands; early morning arrivals in summer are feasible. Winter can bring snow that dramatically transforms the Painted Desert's hues, though some facilities operate on reduced hours.
Accessibility
The Painted Desert Visitor Center and Painted Desert Inn are wheelchair accessible with designated parking. The Crystal Forest paved loop trail (0.8 miles) is generally accessible with assistance. Blue Mesa and backcountry trails involve uneven terrain not suited to wheelchair use. All major scenic overlooks along the 28-mile park drive are accessible by car with paved pullout areas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive through Petrified Forest National Park?
The 28-mile scenic road takes approximately two to three hours to complete with stops at overlooks and short trail walks. A full visit covering both the Painted Desert and the main petrified wood sites typically requires four to five hours on-site.
Can visitors take petrified wood from the park?
No. Removal of petrified wood, rocks, or any natural or cultural material from Petrified Forest National Park is a federal offense. Legally obtained specimens are available at gift shops at the Painted Desert Inn and at stores outside the south park entrance in Holbrook.
Is there food available inside Petrified Forest National Park?
A limited snack bar operates at the Painted Desert Visitor Center near the north entrance. There are no full restaurants within the park. Bringing a packed lunch and adequate water is strongly advised, particularly in summer.
What is the Painted Desert Inn and is it open to visitors?
The Painted Desert Inn is a 1924 structure redesigned by Mary Colter as a Harvey House and now a National Historic Landmark museum open to visitors during park hours at no additional charge. The Fred Kabotie murals inside are of significant cultural and artistic importance.
Is Petrified Forest National Park accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The Crystal Forest trail (0.8 miles) is paved and generally accessible with assistance. Blue Mesa and most backcountry trails involve uneven unpaved terrain and are not wheelchair accessible. The Painted Desert Visitor Center and Painted Desert Inn are accessible, and all major overlooks are reachable by car with paved pullouts.