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Exploring Petrified Forest National Park: A Day Full of Surprises
Located in Northern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park was one of the unique stops on our cross-country road trip. We dedicated an entire day to exploring the park, starting from the South Gate and making several stops along the way to the North Gate. Although it’s called the “Petrified Forest,” don’t expect a lush, green forest—this park is actually a fascinating site full of petrified wood, not living trees.
How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park
We drove to the park from Flagstaff, Arizona, which is about 116 miles west of the park. It took us roughly 1.75 hours to get there. The closest town to the park is Holbrook, which is about 26 miles southwest. Here are the distances and times from other popular destinations:
- Grand Canyon: 200 miles (3 hours)
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: 208 miles (3 hours)
- Monument Valley: 186 miles (3 hours)
- Phoenix, Arizona: 212 miles (3.5 hours)
Tip: If you’re driving to the park, make sure to use Google Maps rather than Apple Maps. We made the mistake of using Apple Maps and ended up at the park’s employee housing. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it was definitely a weird detour!
What to Wear
We visited the park in late November, when the temperatures were in the high 30s in the morning and warmed up to the high 50s during the day. We dressed in layers, starting with coats in the morning and shedding them as the day warmed up. By midday, a sweater and pants were comfortable enough.
For footwear, we both opted for boots. Candy wore her SORELs, and Crystal wore UGGs. Both boots were perfect for all the hiking we did in the park, but sneakers would work just as well.
Hotels Near Petrified Forest National Park
The closest town to the park is Holbrook, which has several decent hotels:
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Holbrook Petrified Forest – A clean, modern, and pet-friendly hotel with complimentary breakfast.
- Brad’s Desert Inn – A quirky, affordable hotel with basic amenities and unique decor.
- Best Western Arizonian Inn – A dated but reliable option with a complimentary breakfast.
Navigating Petrified Forest National Park
The park spans 28 miles, and it takes about 45 minutes to drive from one end to the other if you don’t make any stops. However, if you plan to visit all the major stops, you’ll need an entire day. We initially thought we’d spend only half a day at the park but quickly realized we needed a full day to see everything.
You can enter the park from either the South Gate (off Highway 180) or the North Gate (off Interstate 40). We began at the South Gate, where the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center is located.
Tip: If you plan to spend the whole day at the park, be sure to bring snacks, drinks, and maybe even lunch. There are no eateries until you reach the Painted Desert Diner near the North Gate.
Must-See Stops in the Park
Here are some of the key stops we made during our visit:
Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center
We always stop by the Visitor Center to get tips from the rangers, and this time was no different. The museum was small but informative, with exhibits about dinosaurs and displays of petrified wood. However, we did encounter one park ranger who was a bit unfriendly—he didn’t seem too approachable, but maybe he was just having an off day. Thankfully, the rest of the staff we interacted with were very kind and helpful, especially the attendant at the fee station, who made sure to mention that all the trails were pet-friendly, which was great for us since we had Kuma with us!
Giant Logs Trail
Just outside the Visitor Center, we took a short walk on the Giant Logs Trail (0.4 miles). This loop is home to some of the largest petrified logs in the park, making it a must-see.
Crystal Forest
Next, we headed to Crystal Forest (0.75-mile loop), which was incredible. This area features petrified wood that’s over 200 million years old. The trees here were once covered in sparkling quartz and crystals, giving the logs a stunning, kaleidoscope-like appearance. The trail was easy to navigate, and we couldn’t help but stop every few feet to admire the colorful wood.
Jasper Forest
At Jasper Forest, we enjoyed a panoramic view of the ancient forest and one of the largest accumulations of petrified wood in the world. Originally called the “First Forest,” this spot was a popular site for early railroad travelers in the 1900s.
Agate Bridge
The Agate Bridge was a quick but fascinating stop. It’s a petrified log that formed a natural bridge, and to protect it from collapsing, a concrete slab was added underneath. It’s an interesting geological feature, and the view from the overlook is beautiful.
Blue Mesa Trail
If you only have time for one trail, we highly recommend the Blue Mesa Trail (1-mile loop). This trail takes you through the colorful badlands and is one of the best places to explore the park’s striking landscape. Although the trail is relatively easy, the steep hill at the start can be a bit challenging. But don’t worry, it’s totally worth it!
If you’re pressed for time, you can also enjoy the views along the Blue Mesa Scenic Road without hiking.
The Teepees
These colorful rock formations are some of the oldest in the park, dating back 225 million years. The different colors in the rocks tell a fascinating story about the ancient river channels and volcanic eruptions in the region.
Newspaper Rock
One of the coolest stops was Newspaper Rock, where we saw over 650 petroglyphs carved into the rocks, some as old as 2000 years. You can view them through binoculars or free tower viewers provided at the site.
Dining at Painted Desert Visitor Center
By the time we reached the Painted Desert Visitor Center near the North Gate, we were pretty hungry. Luckily, there’s a café here that offers a mix of American and Mexican food. We grabbed some quick bites—Crystal had a burger and fries, and Candy opted for the fajita vegetable mix. The food was nothing special, but it was just what we needed after a long day of exploring.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had an amazing day at Petrified Forest National Park and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting this part of Arizona. There’s so much to see and do, from hiking through the badlands on the Blue Mesa Trail to exploring ancient petroglyphs. It’s definitely worth spending a full day here, but if you’re pressed for time, you can still experience a lot in just a few hours.
Our favorite part was definitely the Blue Mesa Trail—the views were just spectacular. The park’s pet-friendly trails were also a huge bonus, especially since we could enjoy the park with Kuma.
Petrified Forest is home to the largest concentration of petrified wood in the world, and it’s an experience you won’t forget.
FAQ:
Q: How long does it take to explore Petrified Forest National Park?
A: You can spend a few hours exploring the park, but we recommend a full day to see everything, especially if you want to do some hiking and visit all the key stops.
Q: Is Petrified Forest National Park pet-friendly?
A: Yes! All trails in the park are pet-friendly, and you can bring your dog along for the adventure.
Q: What’s the best hike in the park?
A: The Blue Mesa Trail is one of the best, offering stunning views and an easy but rewarding hike through the badlands.
Q: Can I visit Petrified Forest National Park if I’m short on time?
A: Absolutely! If you’re in a hurry, you can still get great views and enjoy the highlights by driving through the park and stopping at key overlooks.