Petrified Forest National Park sits in eastern Arizona, just off of Interstate 40. When I visited in February 2023, I spoke with a ranger who said that it seemed like most visitors were always on their way somewhere else and just popped in for a quick visit before continuing on to wherever they were going.
While it can be convenient to incorporate on a larger Arizona road trip, Petrified Forest National Park can be a destination all on its own. If you love rocks, petrified wood, and geology, this park may be heaven for you. For those of us less interested in geology, you’ll still find some interesting things to do at Petrified Forest National Park.
There is one main road that runs through park. Everything you’ll want to see and do stems from this road. The road can be driven in either direction, but since I started at the Painted Desert Entrance in the north, I’m outlining this article based on that.
What Even Is a Petrified Forest?
Unlike parks like Rocky Mountain National Park or Arches National Park, you may find yourself wondering what even is a petrified forest and why do we have a whole national park dedicated to it. Basically, there’s two big reasons to visit this national park.
Petrified Forest National Park is home to the most continuous sections of Triassic-aged rocks anywhere in the world. This basically means that if you want to see petrified wood, Petrified Forest National Park is where you should visit. The park is home to loads of petrified wood, which is actually fossilized parts of trees. If you’re not a geology enthusiast, this may not sound that interesting, but throughout the park you’ll see fossilized trees that have mixed with minerals to give the wood an almost crystallized finish and it actually does look pretty cool.
Along with all of the petrified wood, there’s over 10,000 years of human history at Petrified Forest National Park. Over 800 archeological sites are sprinkled throughout the park, including the Agate Bridge, Agate House, and the petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.
Things to Do at Petrified Forest National Park
With all of the backstory out of the way, let’s get into the best things to do at Petrified Forest National Park.
Tiponi Point
This is the first view point you’ll come across. It’s here that you get your first look at the scenery you’ll be seeing throughout the day. The views coming into the park aren’t that notable, so once you get here, it can be a “Wow!” moment.
Tawa Point
Just up the road from Tiponi Point is Tawa Point. While the views are similar, I think that the views at Tawa Point are better. Maybe it was me, but the views felt more sweeping and therefore more grand. From here, you have two trailhead options: the Painted Rim Trail and the Tawa Trail.
Painted Rim Trail
This short trail connects Tawa Point with Kachina Point. It’s 0.5 miles one way (1 mile round trip) and a pretty easy walk. However, this trail runs right along the road so you’ll have basically the same views from walking it than you would from driving it. In my opinion, there are better things to do at Petrified Forest National Park. So, save your energy for one of these other, better hikes.
Tawa Trail
This is another short hike and it connects Tawa Trail with the Entrance Station. I didn’t hike this trail and after seeing it, I’m glad I didn’t give it the energy.
The trail is on the less scenic side of the road, so instead of those sweeping views, you’ll end up with similar views to what you’ve been driving through to get here. Again, I’d recommend saving your energy for one of the more exciting hikes.
Kachina Point and the Painted Desert Inn
The Painted Desert Inn is an historic building that sits in Petrified Forest National Park. The original Route 66 led straight through what is now Petrified Forest National Park and the inn that served those travelers still stands. Inside you’ll find gifts, snacks, and a museum.
Behind the Painted Desert Inn, you’ll find another scenic viewpoint. It’s a nice view point, but if you’ve already stopped at Tiponi Point and Tawa Point, the views haven’t changed too much.
Chinde Point
Another viewpoint with similar views. That said, this one stood out to me and was one of my favorites up until this point, but I couldn’t put a particular reason as to why.
Pintado Point
Pintado Point was one of my favorite viewpoints of the day and therefore I’m listing it as one of the best things to do at Petrified Forest National Park. The views of the surrounding mountains were amazing and this view point was worth a stop.
Nizhoni Point, Whipple Point, and Lacey Point
Nizhoni Point, Whipple Point, and Lacey Point are three viewpoints that are all incredibly close to each other. From Nizhoni Point, you’ll be able to see the parking lot for Whipple Point and at Whipple Point you’ll be able to see the view for Lacey Point in the distance.
While all of the view points were nice, I think they got progressively better the further I drove. Nizhoni Point was nice until I saw Whipple Point. Whipple Point was great, but then I saw Lacey Point which, in my opinion, was the best of the three.
I don’t think you need to stop at all three (unless you want to be a completion-ist) so I recommend just stopping at one. Lacey Point was my favorite, but I don’t think you’d go wrong with Whipple Point. If you’re going to skip any, I recommend skipping Nizhoni Point.
Route 66
Here you’ll find a little information about the historic Route 66 that originally passed through this area. There’s an old car and an informational sign. Unless you are big into the history of Route 66, I’d recommend that you just keep driving.
Puerco Pueblo
You’ll pass a sign for Puerco Point, but there’s no place to stop until you hit Puerco Pueblo.
If you’re visiting Petrified Forest National Park for nature and scenery, you should consider skipping this stop. If you’re into history, add this stop to your list so you can walk out and see some of the ancestral Pueblo homes.
Note that Puerco Pueblo also has restrooms, so if you need to stop, here’s a place to do it.
Newspaper Rock
From the viewpoint, look down onto the rocks below to see the ancient petroglyphs. Telescopes are there to help you get a better view, but if you look close enough, you can just barely make them out with the naked eye.
If you’re not into petroglyphs, this is a stop you can consider skipping as the rest of the surrounding views are similar to what you’ll find elsewhere in the park.
The Teepees
The Teepees are many people’s favorite and are therefore are one of the best things to do at Petrified Forest National Park. Their conical shapes remind people of teepees, which is how they get their name. What’s really cool though is how you can see the different layers that make up the landscape. And since each layer has a slightly different color, they have a very unique look and are very cool to see in person.
Your first experience will be driving through them, but there isn’t a good area to pull over to take photos or see them up close. Don’t worry though, you’ll have plenty more opportunities throughout the day to get some good photos and to get really close to these iconic landmasses.
Blue Forest Trail
The next trail you’ll come across is the Blue Forest Trail and it is one of the best things to do at Petrified Forest. However, this is not a trail like you may be envisioning. It is not well marked and route finding skills are necessary to hike it. This out and back trail is approximately 3 miles and leads you through the teepees.
I did a portion of this trail. I was following the route on AllTrails but eventually got to a point where I couldn’t figure out where the trail went. Both directions seemed to be dead ends (although I’m sure one was actually correct) and since there was a small bit of snow and ice I decided to turn around. I was still a bit nervous about solo hiking based on my previous solo hiking disaster.
I did not pass any other hikers on the trail so if you’re looking for solitude, awesome scenery, and you have some route finding skills, you should check out this trail. The National Park Service has a guide for this hike.
If you choose to skip out on this hike, don’t worry. You’ll still be able to a get a similar experience on another trail.
Blue Mesa Loop Drive
The Blue Mesa Loop Drive is on one of the few turn offs from the main road. You’ll follow a loop that has four unnamed scenic overlooks. I randomly picked the second overlook to stop at and was rewarded with great views.
I’d recommend stopping at at least one of these overlooks to get out and see some awesome scenery. It’s definitely one of the best things to do at Petrified Forest. If you just stay in your vehicle, your views will be very limited, although you will get a few glimpses as you drive the loop.
Blue Mesa Trail
The Blue Mesa Trail is part of the Blue Mesa Loop Drive and is many people’s favorite activity, making it a top thing to do at Petrified Forest. This trail is short, coming in at one mile round trip. You’ll need to walk down a steep path to get to the main trail, but once at the bottom, it’s mostly flat. These are some of the best views you’ll get in the park and informational signs help describe what the landscape.
If you choose to skip the Blue Forest Trail, do this trail instead. The trail is well marked and offers a similar (although not quite the same) experience to the Blue Forest Trail.
Agate Bridge
I stopped here, but I think this stop is skippable. If you want to learn more about the Agate Bridge though, make sure to add it to your itinerary.
Jasper Forest Viewpoint and Trail
From the parking lot you can walk out to a viewpoint, but for the best experience, you should consider hiking out. This is another trail where route finding skills are necessary, but if you are really interested in geology and the petrified wood, this may be the best thing to do at Petrified Forest. This trail is where I was really able to get up close and even pick up small pieces of petrified wood.
The trail is about 2.5 miles and should take you about an hour. You’ll walk past logs of petrified wood, so many different kinds of rocks, and you’ll loop out around what used to be a hoodoo (which collapsed in 1941).
Now, when I hiked this trail, it turned into quite the adventure. I ended up on the trail with two other people, another traveler and a ranger (who was doing a one month stint at Petrified Forest). It was not planned, all three of us just happened to start the trail at the same time (and be the only three people on the trail).
We had the printed instructions from the National Park Service (provided by the ranger, but it was so windy that paper instructions weren’t ideal), AllTrails on the ranger’s phone, and AllTrails+ on my phone. We were constantly off trail and struggling to find where we needed to go, but we still had a great time.
My point is this: try to stick to the trail as much as you can. According to the ranger, for trails like this, it’s ok if you accidentally end up off trail. Just try not to make it habit and continue to practice Leave No Trace principles.
Crystal Forest
If you don’t hike the Jasper Trail, the Crystal Forest is another great option to get up close to the petrified wood. This trail is paved, so it’s a lot easier to figure out where you’re going. The downside is it takes away from some of the adventure. After hiking the Jasper Forest Trail, the Crystal Forest Trail felt too pristine and too easy.
Still, if you want a good look at petrified wood, but don’t want to hike the Jasper Forest Trail, this one mile trail is a great option to consider.
Long Logs and Agate House
This is one of the few trails I skipped. The Long Logs Trail and Agate House can be hiked separately, but can also be combined into one trail to save some time. The Long Logs Trail takes you out to see more petrified wood while the Agate House will take you out for some history.
I didn’t plan to hike this trail and by the time I got to this trail, I was pretty exhausted so I just skipped it. From other blogs I’ve read, this trail is really only worth it if you’re really in to petrified wood. So, if you’re not into petrified wood (or are burned out on petrified wood), save your energy. There’s so many other, better things to do at Petrified Forest.
Giant Logs
This is the last trail you’ll visit and it starts behind the Rainbow Forest Visitor Center. The trail is a half mile and loops you past more petrified wood. It’s called the Giant Logs because you will pass some absolutely massive pieces of petrified wood.
Since it’s short, it can be a great chance to get up close to some massive logs. Although since this was the last trail I did, I was kinda over looking at petrified wood.
The Best Things to Do at Petrified Forest
So after all that, what do I recommend as the best things to do at Petrified Forest National Park? First, I think you need to consider a handful of viewpoints. My top picks are Pintado Point, Lacey Point, and the views from the Blue Mesa Loop Drive.
Then it’s time to consider your hikes. Active travelers could easily do all of the hikes that I have listed. But for those not wanting to hike that much, here’s my recommendations. Choose either the Blue Forest Trail or the Blue Mesa Loop. Then choose either the Jasper Forest Trail or the Crystal Forest Trail. The Giant Logs is a half mile loop that you can add on to the end of your visit.
Getting to Petrified Forest National Park
There are two entrances to Petrified Forest National Park. The first is the entrance at the Painted Desert which is at exit 311 of I-40. The second is the Rainbow Forest which sits off of Highway 180. You can enter at either entrance, follow the one road that goes all the way through the park, and exit on the other side.
Entrance Fees
Entrance to the park is $25 per vehicle and your pass is valid for 7 days. The America the Beautiful Pass is also accepted.
Park Hours
Unlike many national parks, there are set hours for visiting Petrified Forest National Park. In general, the park is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but hours may change throughout the year so it’s a good idea to verify park hours before your visit. For exact hours, visit the National Park website.
Also remember that Arizona does not follow Daylight Savings Time and remains on Mountain Standard Time all year round. If you’re coming from New Mexico, Utah, or one of the Native American Reservations, make sure you have the correct time.
How Long Do You Need at Petrified Forest
In a half day, you can do many of the things on this list. You can stop at the scenic view points, hike either the Blue Forest Trail or the Blue Mesa Trail, and hike either the Jasper Forest Trail or the Crystal Forest Trail.
In a full day, you can do everything on this list. It will be a busy, active day. But it is completely reasonable to do everything on this list in one day if you are an active traveler.
I arrived at Petrified Forest at 9:30 am, visited all the scenic overlooks and hiked the Blue Forest Trail, Blue Mesa Trail, Jasper Forest Trail, and the Crystal Forest Trail. My visit lasted just over six hours.
Where to Stay
The nearest city to Petrified Forest National Park is Holbrook, Arizona. From the city of Holbrook, it is approximately 30 minutes to get to either park entrance.
When Should You Visit Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park can be visited all year round. Expect high temperatures in summer and colder temperatures in winter. Spring and fall make an ideal time to visit.
I visited in early February 2023. The temperature was in the upper 50s, but we had incredibly strong winds. The next morning, there was a light dusting of snow on my rental car.
It should also be noted that when I left Holbrook to return to Phoenix the day after my visit to Petrified Forest National Park, I drove through a snowstorm in the Arizona mountains.
I’m from Wisconsin and winter driving isn’t anything new for me (although I was not expecting to use my winter driving skills in Arizona). But I will say that this was a legit snowstorm and not just some snow flurries. For me, this was not a big deal, but if you are not used to driving in winter, be aware that northern Arizona can, and does, get snow during the winter months.
A Note on Petrified Wood
There’s petrified wood all over the park and it may be tempting to take a piece as a souvenir. Please don’t. Thousands of pieces of petrified wood are taken out of the park every year.
Instead, you can visit one of the numerous stores nearby that sell petrified wood.
Final Thoughts
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy Petrified Forest National Park. I’m not big into geology and it’s hit or miss on my interest in history. Still, I had a great day exploring Petrified Forest National Park and I’m really glad I made it out here. It was my third national park in Arizona (I got to Grand Canyon and Saguaro earlier) and I found it so different from these other nearby parks.
Continue Your Adventure
Arizona: Check out my Arizona Travel Guide for all of the best things to do in this state.
Saguaro National Park: In southern Arizona, you’ll find Saguaro National Park. If you want to learn about cacti, you need to visit this park.
Grand Canyon National Park: The Grand Canyon is absolutely stunning. Whether you come from Las Vegas or somewhere else in Arizona, you have to see it for yourself.
Monument Valley: Along the Arizona-Utah state line, you’ll find Monument Valley and it’s iconic rock formations.
Itineraries: For a quick break, check out my templates for 5 Days in Arizona.