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National park · Holbrook, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park
Park in northeastern Arizona with tree trunks about 225 million years old turned to colorful stone, the Painted Desert, and ruins and petroglyphs of ancestral peoples.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park protects one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the world. About 225 million years ago, fallen trees were buried by sediments and, over time, the wood was replaced by minerals, mainly quartz, which gave the logs red, yellow, and purple colors.
A roughly 45 km road crosses the park from south to north. In the south, the Rainbow Forest Museum and trails like Giant Logs and Crystal Forest pass among huge logs. In the middle, Blue Mesa has striped clay hills in blue and gray, and Newspaper Rock gathers hundreds of petroglyphs. In the north, Painted Desert overlooks show hills in shades of red and orange.
The park also has Triassic animal fossils and the ruins of an ancestral village. There is an entrance fee, and some national parks charge an additional fee for foreign visitors; check the park website. Removing petrified wood is prohibited.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From half a day to a full day.
Best time
From March to May and from September to November; in the morning and late afternoon the colors are stronger.
How to get there
The south entrance is about 30 km from Holbrook via US-180; the north entrance is on I-40, exit 311. Driving through the park and returning via I-40 makes a circuit of about 140 km.
Tip
Check the gate opening hours, as gates close at night. Bring water: services in the park are limited.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Petrified Forest National Park
How much time should I allow for Petrified Forest National Park?
From half a day for just the southern section, to a full day to drive the road end-to-end.
Is there a fee to enter Petrified Forest National Park?
Yes, there is an entrance fee, charged per vehicle or per person. Check the park website for current rates.
Can you take petrified wood from the park?
No. Removing petrified wood from the park is prohibited.