National park · Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park

Northeast Arizona's park holds one of the world's largest concentrations of petrified wood and Late Triassic fossils (225 million years old), alongside Painted Desert badlands and Puebloan petroglyphs.

Entrance
$25 private vehicle
Hours
8:00AM - 5:00PM daily Park Road Hours
Established
1962
Region
Desert Southwest
Petrified Forest National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Petrified Forest National Park patch

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History

Petrified Forest National Park is renowned for its extensive deposits of petrified wood and fossils from the Late Triassic Epoch, making it a significant site for paleontological research. The park also preserves the cultural heritage of ancient Native American communities that inhabited the region for thousands of years.

Key events

  1. December 8, 1906Petrified Forest National Monument established by President Theodore Roosevelt, one of the first four national monuments.
  2. December 9, 1962Redesignated as Petrified Forest National Park by Congress.
  3. 1972Painted Desert Wilderness designated within the park, protecting the multicolored badlands.

Trails

  • Giant Logs Trail 0.4 mi · Easy
  • Crystal Forest Trail 0.8 mi · Easy
  • Long Logs and Agate House 2.6 mi · Easy
  • Blue Mesa Trail 1 mi · Easy
  • Painted Desert Rim Trail 1 mi · Easy

Plan your visit

Hours · Park Road Hours

8:00AM - 5:00PM, every day

Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $25
  • Per Person $15
  • Motorcycle $20
  • Non-commercial Groups $15

Fees and hours as of July 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Mild temps, wildflowers, comfortable hiking
  • Fall. Pleasant weather, clear skies, fewer crowds
  • Winter. Cool but sunny, solitude, clear views
  • Summer. Very hot, early morning visits recommended

Wildlife

PronghornCoyotesRoadrunnersRavensJackrabbitsCollared lizardsPrairie dogsGolden eagles

Nearby patches

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