Seven Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park

Check out our top things to do in Petrified Forest National Park! This Arizona park is well worth visiting and a great driving park. The park is a lot bigger than you may expect so give yourself plenty of time to drive through the park and take walks/hikes at different viewpoints.

 

Things to do Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is one of three designated U.S. National Parks in Arizona. It is also an extremely easy park to visit! The Park is located off Interstate 40 and is 1 hour and forty-five minutes East of Flagstaff, Arizona and three hours West of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

From here you can take the park’s main road that goes 28 miles through the heart of the park with several pullouts and vistas along the way. Once you have finished the road you can simply return the way you came and see more sights or take Highway 180 North back to Interstate 40 at Holbrook. Now it’s time for my seven things to do in Petrified Forest National Park!

Historic Route 66

Petrified Forest National Park is the only U.S. National Park with a portion of the Historic Route 66. Route 66 is also known as the Will Rogers Highway, Main Street of America and the Mother Road that was established November 11, 1926.

It was one of the original highways that began in Chicago Illinois and ended in Santa Monica, California covering a total of 2448 miles! It is marked in the park along the main park road with a 32’ Studebaker and several interpretative panels

Newspaper Rock Petroglyph

There is a short paved trail that leads to an overlook to view the spectacular Newspaper Rock. This aptly named site has over 650 petroglyphs, some dating back over 2000 years! Remember to stay on the trail as the Park Service is dedicated to preserving this site. I used a 100-400mm lens to take this photo and will get you the photo you desire without getting yourself in trouble.

A funny thing happened with the photo pictured above. I posted it on my Instagram Page - @ParkRangerJohn last year when we took our trip to Petrified Forest National Park.

I received a call from a Petrified Forest NP Ranger accusing me of going off trails and breaking the law, he told me I should know better as a Park Ranger than breaking the rules.

I had to gently inform him that I took the above picture from the lookout with a telephoto lens. Not sure if he believed me or not but I can say that I have been yelled at by a Park Ranger. Not something I planned on but still made me giggle a bit as a Park Ranger myself.

Giant Logs Trail

Everyone wants to see petrified wood when they come to Petrified Forest. My favorite trail to get up close is the Giant Logs Trail right at the Rainbow Forest Museum.

This short 4/10-mile trail will leave you amazed by the massive logs left including “Old Faithful” which is almost ten feet across at the base! If you are wanting more then take the Long Logs Trail too. It’s a 1.6-mile loop with some logs over 180 feet long.

Geocaching

As a Park Ranger, I have seen a dramatic increase in Geocaching. It makes me happy to see this activity brings more families out to the parks and actually providing them with an educational experience!

Petrified Forest has both traditional Geocaching as well as Earthcache. There is no physical geocache involved in earth cache, instead, they provide an educational opportunity at the set coordinates.

Click Here for more information about geocaching in Petrified Forest.

Blue Mesa

Blue Mesa has a 3.5-mile loop road with a 1-mile loop trail. The views are stunning with the bluish bentonite clay of the badland hills.

There is also petrified wood scattered throughout the area to add to the areas already jaw-dropping scenery. This is an area not to be missed!

Painted Desert Inn

The Painted Desert Inn is a National Historic Landmark and was originally built in the 1920s. It was originally called the Stone Treehouse as it was built out of petrified wood.

In the 1930s the Stone Treehouse underwent a renovation to today adobe-style construction. The Inn now serves as a museum telling the stories of the Inn, Historic Route 66 and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Check out one of the Cultural Demonstrator programs where local artisans share their history and traditional crafts with park visitors.

Click Here for a calendar when demonstrations will be held at the Painted Desert Inn.

Agate Bridge

The Agate bridge is a 110’ petrified log bridge! This stone log remained while centuries of erosion washed away the softer sandstone underneath this massive log.

People fascinated with this log worked hard to preserve it thus creating Petrified Forest National Monument in 1906.

Conservationists added pillars in 1911 to support the log and in 1917 placed concrete support underneath.

Now you have at least 7 things to do in Petrified Forest National Park. What else will you find? I guarantee that you can find plenty to do in Petrified Forest National Park.

Horse Riding

If you live in the area of the Petrified Forest National Park and own a horse then it can be a good location for some riding. You can spend a day riding in the park and making your way around the various attractions.

It is also possible to camp overnight in the wilderness area and spending a day or two in the park with your horse can be a fun way to see some interesting sights.

Seven Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park located in Arizona, Travel the park road to see sites including Historic Route 66, Desert Views, Blue Bentonite Mesas, petrified wood, petrified logs, petroglyphs and the Painted Desert Inn which is a National Historic Landmark

Have you seen our Beers inspired by US National Parks post?

Petrified Forest National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $25.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $45.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 plus $10.00 per/person for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats

$50.00 for commercial van with 7-15 seats

$60.00 for commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$150.00 for commercial Motoe Coach with 26+ seats

$15.00 for non-commercial group (16+ persons)

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Where to stay when visiting Petrified Forest National Park

Although you may notice the Painted Desert Inn when you look at a map of Petrified Forest National Park, this historic building is no longer taking reservations. It once served Route 66 travelers, but it has since been converted into a museum. 

The closest city to Petrified Forest National Park is Holbrook. This tiny town is about 20 minutes from the park and has quite a few options for overnight guests. There are both independently owned motels and more popular chain options. There are also plenty of quirky shops and restaurants to choose from. 

If you prefer camping, the Crystal Forest Gift Shop and Campground is an RV-friendly campground located just a few feet from the park’s southern entrance. 

Days Inn by Wyndham Holbrook - Take advantage of free to-go breakfast, laundry facilities, and a business center at Days Inn by Wyndham Holbrook. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Greentree Inn Holbrook - Take advantage of free to-go breakfast, a roundtrip airport shuttle, and laundry facilities at Greentree Inn Holbrook. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Holbrook - You can look forward to free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a gym at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Holbrook. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Best Western Arizonian Inn - Consider a stay at Best Western Arizonian Inn and take advantage of free full breakfast, a business center, and a restaurant. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas.

Quality Inn Holbrook - A business center, a restaurant, and a snack bar/deli are just a few of the amenities provided at Quality Inn Holbrook. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Click on the map below to see current rates for hotels and vacation rentals near Petrified Forest.

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