If you’re thinking of visiting Petrified Forest National Park and aren’t yet sure how to organize your time there, you’ve come to the right place! After visiting this gorgeous Arizona park ourselves, we’ve pulled together the best things to do based on the number of days in the park. Below, you’ll find a 1, 2, and 3-Day Petrified Forest Itinerary as well as helpful travel info like where to stay, how much a trip here costs, and more!
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👀 How to Read This Itinerary
We’ve designed this Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary to be flexible, whether you have one, two, or three days in the park. If you’re short on time, simply follow Day 1; with two days, complete Days 1 and 2; and if you have three days, follow the full itinerary.
We’ve ordered this guide so that the most popular activities appear earlier in the itinerary. We’ve also pinned all of the trails, visitor centers, and restaurants mentioned in this itinerary on our map of the park.
❓Not sure how many days to visit? Jump down to our how many days section to decide whether one, two, or three days is best-suited to your travel goals.
ℹ️ About Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, spanning roughly 221,390 acres of badlands, fossilized trees, and colorful desert landscapes. Although not one of the largest US National Parks, it’s packed with tons of things to do, from hiking colorful desert trails to exploring ancient archaeological sites.
Unlike many national parks, it’s quite compact, traversed by a single 28.5-mile (46-km) road that runs from its northern entrance to its southern entrance. If you were to drive without stopping, this road takes just 45 minutes to complete. But with all the overlooks, photo opportunities, and hiking trails that you pass while driving, you can spend an entire day, if not several, every inch of it!
📰 1 to 3-Day Petrified Forest Itinerary
Day 1
1. Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center
2. Crystal Forest Trail
3. Blue Mesa Trail
4. Newspaper Rock
5. Route 66
6. Picnic Lunch at Hózhó Point
7. Painted Desert Inn Visitor Center
8. Painted Desert Rim Trail
9. Dinner in Hollbrook
Day 2
1. Dark Sky Pass at Painted Desert Inn
2. Painted Desert Viewpoints
3. Puerco Pueblo Trail
4. Agate Bridge and Jasper Forest (Lunch Break)
5. Long Logs & Agate House Trails
6. Giant Logs Trail
7. After hours in the Painted Desert
Day 3
1. Onyx Bridge Trail
2. Lunch Break
3. Historic Blue Forest Trail
4. Petrified Forest Gift Shop
5. Optional Dinner in Holbrook
Day 1
Morning
Kick off your trip at the park’s southern entrance (pinned on our map) and head straight to the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center. Here, you can watch the 20-minute park movie, chat with rangers, and explore the exhibits. We love watching a park film before anything else to set the tone for our visit and give us a crash course on the history of that park.
Next, drive to Crystal Forest Trail, a 0.8-mile (1.3-km) loop packed with petrified wood and one of the park’s most popular hikes. Then continue to Blue Mesa Trail, a 1-mile (1.6-km) loop through colorful badlands that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped onto another planet.
A nearby alternative to the Blue Mesa Trail is the slightly longer Historic Blue Mesa Trail, our favorite trail in the park. We definitely recommend this alternative if you’re also here for Day 2, but even if you’re here for one day and are up for a slightly tighter schedule, feel free to tackle this 1 to 1.5-hour hike instead. If you’re already planning on three days in the park, don’t worry, we’ve already listed it in Day 3.
Head north, stopping at Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument to view 650+ ancient petroglyphs on the area’s rocks, and then at Route 66, where you’ll see remnants from this historical road like old power lines and a 1932 Studebaker.
Afternoon
Break for lunch at the Hózhó Point Picnic Area, which has shaded tables, bathrooms, and great Painted Desert views. Afterward, grab ice cream at the Painted Desert Inn Visitor Center (make sure to have cash on you!), a former Route 66 inn.
Finish by hiking the out-and-back Painted Desert Rim Trail, a 1.3-mile (2.1-km) walk between Tawa and Kachina Points, two popular scenic overlooks. Then exit via the northern entrance and continue on your journey (if you’re just here for one day) or head to the nearby town of Holbrook for dinner (see our where to eat section for recs).
Day 2
Morning
Start your second day at the Painted Desert Inn Visitor Center, where Dark Sky passes are handed out. Only two are available per day, so plan to arrive right when the park opens at 8 am—we were able to snag one this way! These passes let you stay in the park after the normal 5 pm closing to catch the sunset, go stargazing, and take astrophotography.
After hopefully securing your pass, begin driving south through the park, stopping at a few more Painted Desert overlooks like Pintado, Nizhoni, Whipple, or Lacey Points (the last three are pretty similar, so feel free to just pick one), before continuing further into the park.
Next up is the Puerco Pueblo Trail, a short loop past an ancient Puebloan village and petroglyphs. This is a great area to learn about the park’s human history. There’s a small building about halfway down the trail where you can read about the people who once lived here.
Afternoon
Afterwards, stop for lunch at either (or both) Jasper Forest Viewpoint and Agate Bridge Viewpoint for more impressive petrified wood views. Jasper Forest is known for its large concentration of petrified wood, and Agate Bridge is unique in that it has a cement support added by the railroad, which has helped preserve it over time.
Then, continue south towards the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center, where you can hop on the Giant Logs Trail, an easy 30-minute loop featuring some of the largest petrified logs in the park. You’ve also got the Long Logs & Agate House Trails nearby, where you’ll see dense concentrations of petrified wood and Agate House, a reconstructed Puebloan structure made entirely from agate!
If you scored a Dark Sky pass, end your day by driving back north and setting up at Painted Desert Inn, Tawa Point, or Hózhó Point—the only areas permitted after hours. We chose Hózhó Point, and the stargazing was unreal. This is a designated Dark Sky Zone, so we were even able to see the Milky Way!
Day 3
Day 3 is dedicated to tackling two of the longer (and our favorite) trails in the park—Onyx Bridge Trail (2-2.5 hours) and the Historic Blue Forest Trail (1-1.5 hours). We recommend starting with the Onyx Bridge Trail (near the northern entrance) as it’s slightly longer, and you’ll probably have more energy in the morning. Feel free to take a lunch break in the park or at a restaurant in Holbrook in between these two hikes.
Morning
The Onyx Bridge Trail is one of the park’s few longer, moderate hikes, starting near the Painted Desert Inn Visitor Center. It’s a “choose your own adventure” route without a clearly defined trail for most of the way, so we highly recommend downloading a map before heading out. The first mile is easy to follow, but it gets a bit complicated after that.
If rain is in the forecast (especially during monsoon season), skip this one due to potential flooding of the riverbed. The final stretch requires a short scramble to reach Onyx Bridge, an area packed with massive petrified logs, and was easily our favorite part.
Afternoon
The Historic Blue Forest Trail ended up being our favorite hike in the park. This trail offers a slightly longer, more adventurous hike than that of Blue Mesa, with some light scrambling and narrow ridgelines that add a fun challenge. It’s not as well-marked, so having a map downloaded here is helpful.
We recommend parking at this small parking lot on Petrified Forest Road. The trail gradually climbs into the blue badlands, and once at the top, you’re rewarded with some of the best panoramic views in the park. We also loved how empty this trail was, which was a nice respite from some of the busier, shorter trails throughout the park.
After this second trail, feel free to stop by the Petrified Forest Gift Shop, near the southern entrance to the park, to pick up any souvenirs you might want. Even though you shouldn’t take petrified wood out of the park yourself, responsibly sourced petrified wood is available here! You can also grab a final dinner in Holbrook if you aren’t in a hurry to drive out.
🥾 More Things to Do in the Petrified Forest
From backpacking in the Petrified Forest Wilderness Area to attending a private class with the Petrified Forest Field Institute, there are even more things to do in Petrified Forest National Park. If you think you’ll have some extra time on one of your days, or want to switch any of the above activities out, hop over to our related article, 11 Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park (Free & Paid)!
🍔 Where to Eat Near the Petrified Forest
We almost exclusively ate out of our van during our time in the Petrified Forest, but we’ve rounded up some of the top-rated breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots in the area. All of these are located in Holbrook, Arizona, one of the closest towns to the park.
- Bienvenidos Restaurant: Classic American restaurant serving up hearty comfort food from breakfast plates to burgers. Open for all meals.
- Tom and Suzie’s Diner: Another popular family restaurant serving up your classic American breakfast, lunch, and dinner staples.
- Colonel Mustard Hot Dogs: Highly-rated Chicago-style hot dog joint in a converted gas station. Great for lunch or an early dinner (they close at 5/6 pm).
- Studio 66 Cafe: One of the best coffee shops in town, opening as early as 5:30 am. Stop in here for a quick coffee and breakfast, or later in the day for a bistro-style lunch.
🗺️ Map of Petrified Forest National Park
How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.
☀️ Best Time of Year to Visit Petrified Forest
In our opinion, the best time of year for visiting Petrified Forest National Park is during the spring or fall shoulder seasons, when daytime temperatures are comfortable. You’ll find that there are fewer crowds and non-blistering temps—the best of both worlds! Here’s what you can expect from each season:
- Spring & Fall: When we recommend going, Spring and Fall in the Petrified Forest offer comfortable daytime highs in the mid-70s °F (18-24 °C), fewer crowds, and less chance of rain. This would specifically be March to May and October to November.
- Summer: This is the peak season in the park, from May to August. Beyond the higher temperatures (90°F, 32°C and above) and crowds, June 15-September 30 is monsoon season, so keep the possibility of heavy rains in mind if you can only come in the summer months.
- Winter: Winters in the Petrified Forest are mild compared to many other national parks, with daytime highs often in the 50s °F (10-15 °C) and cooler nights. Snow is rare but still possible. The park is much quieter during this season, so if what you’re looking for is solitude, this is still a doable time to visit!
🚗 How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, roughly halfway between Flagstaff and Albuquerque. Its location near these major cities makes reaching this park quite straightforward, whether you’re coming in by flight or by car on a road trip.
Here’s a breakdown of your options:
- Car: The park is easily accessible via Interstate 40, with exits leading to the park’s main entrances near Holbrook and Interstate 40’s Exit 285. From Flagstaff, it’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive east, and from Albuquerque, roughly 3.5 hours west. Once you’re in the park, having a car is quite useful as well, as no bus can take you down the park road.
- Plane: The closest major airport for flying into Petrified Forest is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (a 1-hour and 48-minute drive). You also have Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (a 3-hour and 23-minute drive) and Albuquerque Airport (a 3-hour and 26-minute drive). Once you arrive in Arizona, we recommend renting a car to complete your journey to the park.
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🏕️ Where to Stay in Petrified Forest
We recommend staying the night in or around Holbrook, the closest town to Petrified Forest National Park. Below, we’ve broken down a few hotel, camping, and even glamping options to help you decide where to rest for the night!
- Hotels: Brad’s Desert Inn and The Wigwam Motel are two affordable, quirky places to stay just a half hour from the park. Wigwam Motel was the 6th of 7 Wigwam Teepee Motels built across the country, and only 3 still stand. There is also a Quality Inn, 23 minutes from the park, another fairly-priced and reliable option.
- Glamping: We can recommend either the Starlight Luxury Tents or Tickled Pink Flamingos Campers, two unique glamping experiences just 25 minutes away from the park.
- Camping: If you sleep in your vehicle, the Crystal Forest Gift Shop offers free camping by the southern entrance. If you’re looking for something a bit more established, the Holbrook KOA has RV spots, tent camping, and even indoor lodging!
⏰ How Many Days in Petrified Forest National Park?
We personally spent 2 very full days in Petrified Forest National Park, as we wanted to see as much as we could. That being said, we do think this is a park whose must-see highlights can be seen in just 1 day. In fact, most people seem to visit this park for just one day. 2 days will give you a bit more flexibility, and 3 days will give you enough time to see practically everything this park has to offer, without rushing at all.
At the end of the day, it’s up to how many things you’re interested in seeing, your general availability, and how quick (or slow) your travel style is. If you need help deciding and you haven’t yet read the above itinerary, we recommend reading through each day and seeing how many things you’re truly interested in. If most of them are on Day 1, feel free to visit just for the day!
💰 How Much Does a Trip to Petrified Forest National Park Cost?
Petrified Forest National Park is one of the more affordable parks in the country to visit. Although there is an entrance fee, there’s not much else you have to pay for. The rest of your money will go towards your accommodations, food, gas, and any souvenirs (if you choose to buy some). Below, we’ve included a chart to give you an idea of what certain things cost in and around Petrified Forest National Park as of this article.
💡 Cost Depends on Your Travel Style! You can spend as little as $25 (the entrance fee) on a visit to this park, or up to hundreds of dollars if you go for paid accommodations, dinners out, and private park experiences over the course of several days.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Park Entrance | $25/vehicle | Free with annual pass |
| Camping | Free to $100+/night | Free with an annual pass |
| Hotels/Glamping | Starting at $80/night | Depends on where you stay |
| Souvenirs | Varies | We spent around $20 on a few small items |
| Dinner in Holbrook | $15-$25/person | Breakfast is typically less expensive |
| Class with the PF Field Institute | $185-$245 | Free with an annual pass |
🎫 Consider investing in the America the Beautiful pass for $80 like we did if you’re planning on travelling to several parks within the year.
Petrified Forest Money-Saving Tips
As a general money-saving rule of thumb, we try to prepare our own food more often than we go out to eat. It’s a bit easier for us as we live in a van with a small kitchen, but even if you don’t, you can always invest in a camping stove or rely on pre-made food from grocery stores. We like to save non-homemade meals for restaurants or cafés we are really excited about, or to reward ourselves after a really long hiking day.
Another great way to save money is by staying at campgrounds instead of hotels. The absolute least expensive way to travel would be to park and sleep in your car at free pull-outs or free overnight parking lots, like the one listed above. We love using sites like iOverlander for finding these types of spots on the go. If you can’t do that, the second-least-expensive option would be to go tent camping at an established campground.
🥾 Packing Essentials for Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is known, above all, for being sunny. There is little to no shade in the majority of this park, so sun protection is going to be the most important thing to keep in mind when packing. Below, we’ve listed what we recommend you pack for a trip to Petrified Forest National Park.
Hiking Essentials
Read next: Hiking Gear for Beginners!
Sun Protection
Safety Essentials
🪧 Learn More: How to Help the Petrified Forest
The first way to support Petrified Forest National Park is by following Leave No Trace guidelines during the entirety of your visit. One of the most important actions unique to this park is to refrain from taking home any petrified wood with you.
An estimated 12 tons of petrified wood leave the park each year. If you’d like to take a souvenir home with you, you can buy petrified wood in the visitor centers or at small gift shops like Crystal Forest Museum & Gifts just below the southern entrance.
If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities in the park, like fence repair, trail maintenance, or even research for special projects, you can check here. And if you wish to financially support the park, consider donating directly at a visitor center, to their partner organization, Friends of Petrified Forest National Park, or to the National Parks Conservation Association, who help fund conservation efforts throughout the entire US National Park system. 💚
📰 Related Articles
- 11 Best Things to Do in Petrified Forest National Park (Free & Paid)
- Our 9 Favorite Hikes in Petrified Forest National Park
- How to Spend One Day in Canyonlands National Park
- How to See Arches National Park in 1, 2, or 3 Days
- 9 Fun Things to Do in Zion National Park in 2026
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