Petrified Forest National Park

About

Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is one of the most unique landscapes in the country. Spanning over 200 square miles of high desert, the park protects one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the world, along with stunning badlands, ancient petroglyphs, and fossils dating back more than 200 million years.

The park is built around a 28-mile scenic drive that connects the two main entrances, making it easy to experience the highlights from your vehicle. Along the route, pullouts and overlooks offer views of the Painted Desert to the north and colorful badlands and petrified log concentrations to the south. Many of the most popular stops, including Crystal Forest and Giant Logs, feature short paved trails that bring you right up close to massive petrified logs scattered across the desert floor.

At the north end, the Painted Desert Visitor Center introduces the geology and history of the area with exhibits, a bookstore, and a short film. The Rainbow Forest Museum near the south entrance focuses on the paleontology of the region and sits next to the Giant Logs Trail, a short loop through some of the largest petrified specimens in the park.

Beyond the petrified wood, the park holds surprises. Newspaper Rock features hundreds of ancient petroglyphs carved into sandstone boulders. The Puerco Pueblo ruins reveal a 100-room ancestral Puebloan village. And the vast, colorful badlands of the Blue Mesa area feel like walking on another planet.

The park is open year-round, though hours vary by season. There is no camping within the developed area, but backcountry permits are available. Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, so spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. The nearest towns for lodging and food are Holbrook and the Navajo community of Sun Valley, both within about 30 minutes of the park entrances.

Accessibility

The visitor centers at Petrified Forest National Park are wheelchair accessible, including the Painted Desert Visitor Center at the north entrance and the Rainbow Forest Museum at the south entrance. Both facilities offer accessible restrooms.

Several of the short trails along the scenic drive are paved and likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. The Crystal Forest Trail and Giant Logs Trail are paved loop paths that stay relatively flat, though some sections may have modest grades. The 28-mile scenic drive itself allows visitors to experience much of the park from their vehicle, with paved pullouts at major overlooks.

Accessible parking spaces are available at visitor centers and major trailheads. The park film shown at the Painted Desert Visitor Center is captioned.

Backcountry trails and some overlook areas involve unpaved surfaces, loose gravel, or uneven terrain that may present challenges for mobility device users.

For the most current information on accessible facilities, trail conditions, and available assistance, contact the park directly at Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028-2217, or call ahead before your visit. Rangers at both visitor centers can help plan an accessible route through the park.

More accessible places in Arizona

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (Tucson)
• Children's Museum of Phoenix (Phoenix)
• Heard Museum (Phoenix)
• Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix)
• Slide Rock State Park (Sedona)
• Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff)

Photo credits

• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (5): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (2): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (3): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (4): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (6): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (7): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (8): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (9): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (10): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (11): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (12): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona - additional view showing features and amenities (13): National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)