Is Petrified Forest National Park Worth It?

Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is a lesser visited US National Park, filled with ancient history, stunning landscapes, and unique geological wonders. With just about 645,000 visitors per year, there’s plenty of room for both you and your dog (on leash) to explore. It’s a roughly 2.5 hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 3.5 hours from Phoenix, Arizona. You may be wondering whether this park is worth visiting, given the time it takes to get there. The answer is a resounding yes! Petrified Forest National Park is worth it, and we’ll share how to make the most of your visit to the park’s colorful badlands and 200-million plus year old petrified wood.

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Top Things to Do & See in Petrified Forest National Park

Most of the suggested things to do in Petrified Forest National Park are right off of the main park road. This runs 28 miles from the south entrance (off of Rt. 180 east of Holbrook) to the north entrance (off of I-40). We’ve organized the things to do here based on a drive from south to north, though you can easily reverse this itinerary. If you simply drive and just stop at the overlooks, this drive could be done in 1 hour or 1.5 hours. If possible, bring along a picnic lunch and spend a day exploring all the nooks and crannies of the park.

Note that this is one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the U.S. As the ranger explained to us when he gave us our BARK ranger pass, dogs must be kept on a leash and you are asked to be diligent about picking up after your dog. They even give you a few bags to carry along, and some dog treats.

Pro tip: The petrified wood in the park is hundreds of millions of years old. Please leave the petrified wood alone, so that other visitors can enjoy it as well. If you feel the need to take some home as a souvenir, buy it from one of the local stores who sell petrified wood as a souvenir. There are signs reminding visitors not to take the wood; and there is an inspection station on the way out, where they may inspect your car.

1. Rainbow Forest and the Giant Logs Trail

After entering the park from the south, be sure to make a stop at the Rainbow Forest area, where you can find some of the largest and most colorful petrified logs in the park. This is around mile marker 26. If you are visiting with your dog, be sure to get their BARK ranger pass while you’re here (you can also get one at the north visitor’s center if you start there). It’s a great souvenir.

Be sure to visit the Rainbow Forest Museum and Visitors Center. Enjoy paleontology exhibits and the park film. This provides a great background of the history and geology of the park before heading out on the trails.

From the parking lot of the visitors center, pick up a Giant Logs Trail flyer and head out on the Giant Logs Trail. This is a short but rewarding hike with huge, vividly colored fossilized trees. Though the trail is quite short, it is worth taking the time to visit it, given the many fossilized logs along the way, including one called “Old Faithful,” which Einstein visited in the 1930’s.

Pro tip: While the trail is paved, it is only partially accessible. It has a few sets of stairs along the way, which would be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Petrified Dunes Trail facts

• Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip (0.8 km)
• Elevation gain: 39 ft. (12 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed at all times

2. Crystal Forest

Just a short distance north of the Rainbow Forest, the short Crystal Forest Trail leaves from the aptly named Crystal Forest Trailhead (near mile marker 20). Crystal Forest is home to some of the most beautifully preserved petrified logs in the park, many with quartz crystals. It’s a short, easy loop trail that lets you wander by and admire the brightly colored fossilized wood with badlands in the background.

If you have time, we’d suggest you walk both this and the Giant Logs Trail. If you have to pick one of the two, the Crystal Forest Trail gets you up closer to more petrified logs.

Most of this trail is considered accessible to mobility devices. The trail consists of a mix of paved and gravel surfaces, with very gentle grades.

Crystal Forest Trail facts

• Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip (1.3 km)
• Elevation gain: 36 ft. (11 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed at all times

3. Agate Bridge

The Agate Bridge is a just off the side of the road near mile marker 18. Pull into the Agate Bridge parking lot, and walk to the paved, accessible overlook. You can walk a bit off of this paved trail to get photos, but please be mindful of the signs showing where the area is closed to visitors.

This natural bridge is a 100+-foot-long petrified log that has remained intact for millions of years. It is partially exposed, and runs across a gully at the Agate Mesa. It was reinforced with concrete pillars and later a concrete beam in the early 1900’s to ensure it doesn’t collapse. Despite this, it’s still an awe-inspiring sight.

4. Blue Mesa Trail

Driving north from the Agate Bridge, you’ll come to a right turn (headed east) around mile marker 15 onto Blue Mesa Scenic drive. This turns into a 1-way 1-mile loop with a number of scenic overlooks. We stopped at each overlook, and found each to be quite unique (so worth a stop).

Pro tip: There are also a number of picnic areas at these Blue Mesa Scenic drive stops, which we thought would make a wonderful spot for a picnic lunch. Our visit was on an incredibly windy day, which didn’t lend itself to eating outside unfortunately.

One of the park’s most scenic hikes, the Blue Mesa Trail is a 1-mile loop that takes you into an absolutely incredible landscape of blue and purple-hued badlands. In addition to these unique rock formations, you’ll come across scattered petrified wood make this a favorite among photographers. While the trail itself is a mix of paved and hard packed gravel, there are some steep sections near the start of the trail that would likely present challenges for those with mobility issues. We spent a lot longer than expected here, simply because of the many photos we ended up taking.

Blue Mesa Trail facts

• Distance: 1.0 miles roundtrip (1.6 km)
• Elevation gain: 114 ft. (35 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed at all times

While this trail is reminiscent of visits to Badlands National Park in South Dakota, the badlands on the Blue Mesa trail are unique. They show up in bands of blues, purples, grey, and even an orange-peach color, due to the bentonite clay,

For those looking for a bit more distance or challenge, consider adding on the Historic Blue Forest Trail, leaving from Blue Mesa Scenic drive. You’ll find that few people wander onto this moderate, 2.4 mile (3.9 km) trail. It does require some off-trail sections if done as a loop; or do this as an out and back to avoid these trickier areas.

Even if you are not interested in the hike, be sure to drive this loop, stopping at the various overlooks to enjoy the scenery. The photo below was taken from an accessible overlook (the first overlook you get to after the parking for the Blue Mesa Trail. As mentioned, it was super windy when we were there. I almost got blown over when running from the car to the overlook, but it was worth it!

5. Newspaper Rock

After re-joining the main road again, head north towards Newspaper Rock. Before reaching Newspaper Rock, be sure to stop at the Teepees North Pullout, which has stunning views of the badlands, great for photos.

At mile marker 6.7, Newspaper Rock is know for its hundreds of ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock, some over 2,000 years old. While we found the concept of Newspaper Rock neat, the viewing platform is too far from the petroglyphs to get a good view without the provided telescopes. The viewpoint does offer a glimpse into the symbols left behind by Native American cultures, though we found the petroglyphs at the next stop, Puerco Pueblo, to be much easier to see.

6. Puerco Pueblo

Our next stop is at Puerco Pueblo, at mile marker 11, an ancient village site. The site has a short paved walking path, which winds around remnants of a huge dwelling occupied by the ancestral Puebloans over 650 years ago. There is a mini-museum about half-way around the path, though it was unfortunately closed during our visit.

Along with the ruins, you’ll find well-preserved petroglyphs that depict daily life and celestial events, offering a fascinating window into the past. These were also about half-way around the path, a bit to the east of the mini-museum building. These reminded us of the many petroglyphs we’ve discovered while exploring off the beaten path in Moab, Utah.

7. Route 66 Alignment

History buffs will appreciate the Route 66 alignment, which runs through the park. Just north of I-40, you’ll come across a vintage Studebaker sculpture, that marks the spot where Route 66 once passed,. It’s a nice spot to stop for photos.

If this is one of your planned stops on a Route 66 roadtrip, don’t miss these haunted Route 66 stops on your travels.

8. Painted Desert

The Painted Desert is one of the park’s most stunning features. It stretches across the northern portion of the park, and is filled with a blend of reds, oranges, purples, and pinks. Stop at the many overlooks on the north side of the park for panoramic views that are especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. Some of our favorites are the Lacey Overlook, Tawa Point, and Tatáypi Point, all with incredible views. These views reminded us of the views Snow Canyon State Park in Utah, though on a much larger scale here in Petrified Forest National Park.

Plan a stop at the Painted Desert Visitor’s Center, where you’ll find visitor information and exhibits, a bookstore, museum demonstration lab, gas station, restaurant, and dog park. You can also access the trailhead for the Tawa Trail here.

If you’re interested in a short hike to take in the views of the Painted Desert, consider taking the Painted Desert Rim Trail. While the trailhead and the viewpoint are accessible, the trail itself is not. The trail connects the Painted Desert Inn and Kachina Point with Tawa Point.

Painted Desert Rim Trail facts

• Distance: 1.2 miles roundtrip (2 km)
• Elevation gain: 52 ft. (16 m)
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed at all times

Visiting Petrified Forest National Park With Your Dog

Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the U.S. Dogs are allowed on all paved roads, trails, and even in the backcountry. Be sure to pick up the Bark Ranger pass at one of the visitor’s centers, which come with some dog treats and plastic bags to pick up after your dogs. They must be leashed at all times (no longer than six feet). Be sure to bring plenty of water, as there is little shade.

We made good use of our favorite dog friendly hiking water bottle, even though we visited on a cold and windy winter day.

Kalimdor Dog Water Bottle, Leak Proof Portable Puppy Water Dispenser with Drinking Feeder for Pets Outdoor Walking, Hiking, Travel, Food Grade Plastic (19oz Blue)

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park. These seasons offer typically mild temperatures, ranging from 60°F to 80°F.

Winter (December-February) typically comes with cooler temperatures, sometimes dipping below freezing. We enjoyed our winter visit despite the less than perfect weather. The park was nearly empty, making our explorations all the more enjoyable.

We’d generally avoid visiting during the Summer (June-August) because of the extreme heat. If you do visit in the summer, be sure to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the peak heat.

How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park Entry Fees

Visiting Petrified Forest National Park does require an entry fee. Here are the 2025 fee options:

Free Entry Days

The following days are free to enter the park for 2025:

• January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• April 16 — First Day of National Park Week
• June 19 — Juneteenth
• August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
• September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• November 11 — Veterans Day

Where to Stay near Petrified Forest National Park

While there are no established campsites or lodges inside Petrified Forest National Park, there are several great options nearby. We’d recommend staying in Holbrook if you’d like to be close to the park. Winslow is about an hour from the park, but offers some charming stays such as La Posada Hotel, which are worth considering despite the longer drive.

Camping in Petrified Forest Wilderness Area

Backcountry Camping – Permits are available for those who want to camp in the Petrified Forest wilderness area of the park. There are no established campsites, but this is a fantastic way to experience the park’s solitude. This does require back country permits, and at least a 0.5 mile hike from your car.
Holbrook RV & Campground – Located about 25 miles from the park’s entrance, this site offers RV hookups, tent spaces, and basic amenities.

Hotels in Holbrook and Winslow

• La Quinta Inn and Suites Holbrook Petrified Forest (Holbrook, AZ) – The top rated hotel with pool, fitness center, and continental breakfast.
• Best Western Arizonian Inn (Holbrook, AZ) – A reliable, comfortable hotel with modern amenities, close to the park’s north entrance.
• La Posada Hotel (Winslow, AZ) – A beautifully restored historic hotel, about an hour from the park, offering an elegant stay with a touch of history.

Final Verdict: Is Petrified Forest National Park Worth It?

Absolutely! Petrified Forest National Park is filled with a unique combination of history, geology, and stunning landscapes that you won’t find anywhere else. It is perfect for those interested in geology and photography. The hiking is more limited than in some other national parks, so keep this in mind when deciding if you’d like to visit. With scenic drives, fascinating trails, and its dog-friendliness, it’s a destination that deserves a spot on your travel itinerary. If you’re planning a trip through Arizona, New Mexico, or Route 66, be sure to carve out time for Petrified Forest National Park.

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