In the heart of northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a place where time seems to stand still. This unique national park is famous for its vast deposits of petrified wood, ancient fossil beds, and colorful badlands, making it a stunning and surreal desert landscape. Visitors can walk among massive, rainbow-hued petrified logs that are over 200 million years old, explore the remains of ancient civilizations, and take in the breathtaking beauty of the Painted Desert. If you’re searching for National Parks near me in Arizona or looking to explore one of the most fascinating US Parks, Petrified Forest National Park is an unforgettable destination for history buffs, hikers, and geology enthusiasts.

Whether you’re exploring the ancient trees turned to stone, hiking through the colorful badlands, or discovering the remnants of prehistoric civilizations, Petrified Forest National Park offers a journey through time unlike any other.

Where Is Petrified Forest National Park?

Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, about a 3.5-hour drive from Phoenix and an hour from Flagstaff. The park is easily accessible via Interstate 40, which runs through its northern section. The park is open year-round, with the best times to visit being spring and fall when temperatures are milder. Entrance fees are $25 per vehicle, or you can use your National Park Pass for access to the park.

The Climate: Desert Extremes

The climate in Petrified Forest National Park is typical of a high desert, with hot summers and cool winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F (32°C), while winter temperatures can drop to below freezing at night. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather, with mild temperatures and clear skies, making them the best seasons for hiking and exploring the park’s open landscapes. Visitors should be prepared for strong winds and quick changes in weather, which are common in the desert.

A Fossilized Forest and Ancient Landscapes

Petrified Forest National Park is home to one of the largest and most colorful deposits of petrified wood in the world. These ancient trees, dating back over 200 million years to the Late Triassic Period, have turned to stone through a process of mineralization, leaving behind stunning, fossilized logs in shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. In addition to the petrified wood, the park is known for its Painted Desert, a series of colorful badlands and mesas that change hues throughout the day. The park also contains significant archaeological sites, including petroglyphs and remnants of prehistoric Puebloan villages.

Top 5 Wildlife to Spot in Petrified Forest National Park

Despite its arid environment, the park is home to a variety of wildlife that has adapted to the harsh desert conditions. Here are five species you might encounter:

1. Pronghorn Antelope: These fast-moving animals are often seen grazing in the park’s open grasslands. They are among the most common large mammals in the park.
2. Coyote: Coyotes are frequently spotted in the park, particularly in the early morning or late evening, as they hunt for small mammals and birds.
3. Ravens: These intelligent birds are a common sight throughout the park, often soaring high above the badlands or scavenging near picnic areas.
4. Collared Lizards: These colorful lizards, with bright green bodies and distinctive black “collars,” are often seen basking on rocks and petrified logs in the park’s warmer months.
5. Desert Cottontail Rabbits: These small, quick-footed rabbits are frequently seen darting across the park’s open plains, especially during the cooler hours of the day.

Best Hiking Trails in Petrified Forest National Park

1. Blue Mesa Trail: This 1-mile loop trail takes hikers through the park’s badlands, offering close-up views of the colorful, layered rock formations and scattered petrified wood. It’s a short but scenic hike with gentle inclines.
2. Crystal Forest Trail: A 0.75-mile loop trail that winds through an area rich in petrified wood, Crystal Forest showcases the park’s stunning fossilized logs, some of which still sparkle with quartz crystals embedded in the stone.
3. Painted Desert Rim Trail: This easy 1-mile round-trip trail follows the rim of the Painted Desert, offering panoramic views of the colorful badlands. The trail is perfect for those looking to take in the park’s vast landscapes.
4. Puerco Pueblo Trail: This 0.3-mile loop takes visitors to the ruins of a 600-year-old Puebloan village, where you can see petroglyphs and the remnants of ancient stone structures. It’s a short but fascinating hike through the park’s human history.

Top Scenic Views in Petrified Forest National Park

1. Kachina Point: Located along the Painted Desert Rim, this viewpoint offers sweeping views of the Painted Desert’s colorful layers, which range from deep reds to soft purples. It’s especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
2. Blue Mesa Overlook: From this viewpoint, visitors can take in the stunning vistas of Blue Mesa, where the badlands are streaked with vibrant blues, purples, and grays. The view is especially striking in the late afternoon when the light highlights the mesa’s intricate layers.
3. Jasper Forest Overlook: This overlook provides one of the best views of the park’s petrified wood deposits, with thousands of fossilized logs scattered across the landscape. It’s a great spot for photography and appreciating the park’s geological wonders.
4. Tawa Point: This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the Painted Desert and is one of the best places in the park to watch the changing colors of the desert at sunset.

Top Water Features in Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is located in a desert environment, so permanent water features are rare. However, several temporary streams and washes flow through the park during the rainy season, and these ephemeral waterways play an important role in shaping the landscape.

1. Lithodendron Wash: This wash is a major drainage area in the park, and after rainstorms, it channels water through the badlands, carving out new layers of sediment and revealing ancient fossils.
2. Dead Wash: Another important water feature in the park, Dead Wash flows intermittently during periods of heavy rain and contributes to the erosion and shaping of the park’s badlands.
3. Petrified Springs: These small, seasonal springs can sometimes be found in the park after rainfall, particularly in the badland areas. They provide a rare source of water for the park’s wildlife.
4. Painted Desert Wash: Flowing through the Painted Desert region of the park, this wash is one of the largest ephemeral streams in the park, bringing life to the desert during the rainy season.

Top Camping Spots in Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park does not have developed campgrounds within the park, but it offers excellent backcountry camping opportunities for those looking for solitude and a deeper connection to the desert landscape. Here are the top spots:

1. Backcountry Camping (Painted Desert): The northern part of the park, known as the Painted Desert, is a popular area for backcountry camping. Visitors can obtain a free permit and set up camp in the vast, colorful badlands, surrounded by complete wilderness.
2. Backcountry Camping (Blue Mesa): The area around Blue Mesa is another popular backcountry camping location, offering stunning views of the vibrant badlands and petrified wood deposits. It’s perfect for those seeking a quiet, remote experience.
3. Crystal Forest Area: Although not a developed campground, the area around Crystal Forest is a beautiful spot for backcountry camping, allowing visitors to wake up surrounded by petrified wood and desert scenery.
4. Nearby Private Campgrounds: For those looking for more amenities, several campgrounds are located just outside the park in the nearby towns of Holbrook and Winslow, offering tent and RV sites with full hookups.

Petrified Forest National Park offers an incredible journey through time, where ancient trees turned to stone, colorful badlands, and the remnants of prehistoric civilizations create a surreal and beautiful desert landscape. Whether you’re hiking through the park’s fossilized forests, exploring ancient petroglyphs, or marveling at the vistas of the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park is a unique destination that will leave you in awe. Pack your gear, grab your National Park Pass, and step into the ancient world of Petrified Forest.