Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest, AZ

About

Sunlit Painted Desert hills of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area

Park Hours: 8am to 5pm, MST. Don't forget that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. Would you like to see the park film? It is located at the park's YouTube Channel as well as the park's giftshops.

Read more at nps.gov

Directions

Petrified Forest stretches north/south between I-40 and Hwy 180. There are two entrances into the park.*** ***WESTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 311, drive 28 miles through the park to Hwy 180 at the south end. Travel 19 miles to return to I-40 via Holbrook.*** ***EASTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 to the park's south entrance. Drive 28 miles north through the park to return to I-40.

Weather Info

Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often dramatic summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.

Photos

Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.

Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.

Sunlight highlights the colorful petrified wood of Agate House

Agate House was built over 900 years ago out of pieces of petrified wood

Eroded towers called hoodoos loom above Devil's Playground.

Eroded towers called hoodoos loom above Devil's Playground.

Masonry wall foundations are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo

Masonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo.

Painted Desert Community Complex Plaza reveals the long lines of Mid-century style architecture

Painted Desert Community Complex Plaza reveals the long lines of Mid-century style architecture

A large petrified log stretches across a gully

This large petrified log stretches across a gully created by erosion.

Summer storm clouds build behind the banded badlands of Blue Mesa

Summer storm clouds build behind the banded badlands of Blue Mesa.

Two visitors walk the Blue Mesa Trail between blue, purple, and grey badlands.

Visitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.

Many petrified logs are scattered in front of the blue grey badlands at Crystal Forest.

Many petrified logs are scattered among the badlands at Crystal Forest.

A full rainbow arches over the open grassland.

A full rainbow arches over the open grassland.

Swirly patterned rocks form a jumbled puzzle in front of red badlands

Swirly patterned rocks form a jumbled puzzle in front of red badlands in the expansion lands.

Mesas glow red at dawn

The Flattops glow red at dawn.

Handpainted glass skylight at the historic

Handpainted skylight panels by the CCC designed by architect Lyle Bennett grace the historic Painted Desert Inn NHL

Many Hopi symbols are represented in this mural including eagles, corn, and rain.

Many Hopi symbols are featured in this Fred Kabotie mural at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

a long petrified log stretches across a wash

Onyx Bridge is a popular destination for hikers in the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area's north unit.

many petrified logs lay on the ground and on eroded pedestals of clay

Jasper Forest has some of the most colorful logs in the park.

An old 1932 Studebaker auto sits near the Route 66 alignment

An old 1932 Studebaker auto sits near the Route 66 alignment.

handmade Spanish colonial style punched tin light fixtures were made by the CCC

The handmade Spanish-colonial-style punched tin light fixtures were made by the CCC in the 1930s for the Painted Desert Inn NHL.

A beam of light touches a petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo on the summer solstice

A petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo interacts with the sunlight on the summer solstice.

a petroglyph pecked into sandstone that represents a mountain lion

This ancient petroglyph of a mountain lion has become an icon of the park.

Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands

Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands.

yellow and other colors in a piece of brightly colored petrified wood

Iron oxide is one of the many trace minerals that create the color of petrified wood.

striped badlands glow red in the sunset light at the Tepees

Striped badlands glow red in the sunset light at the Tepees.

Kids excavating in the field with Park Paleontologist Bill Parker

Kids excavating in the field with Park Paleontologist Bill Parker

Dark blue sky filled with stars over banded badland.

Petrified Forest is now an International Dark Sky Park!

Two people in colorful clothing on a tandem bicycle with banded badlands in the background

Tandem Bicycling at Blue Mesa