Petrified Forest National Park

Park Hours: 8am to 5pm, MST. Don't forget that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. We are an hour earlier than New Mexico, Utah, and the Navajo Nation.

Would you like to see the park film? It is located at the park's YouTube Channel as well as the giftshop at Rainbow Forest.

Tandem Bicycling at Blue Mesa

Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area

Sunrise and sunset are favorite times to view the colorful Painted Desert of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area

Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

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

Agate House

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

Devil's Playground

Eroded towers called hoodoos loom above Devil's Playground.

Puerco Pueblo

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

Painted Desert Community Complex Plaza

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

Agate Bridge

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

Blue Mesa

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

Blue Mesa Trail

Visitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.

Crystal Forest

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

Grassland Rainbow

A full rainbow arches over the open grassland.

Expansion Land Scenery

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

Flattops

The Flattops glow red at dawn.

Painted Desert Inn CCC Lyle Bennett Skylight Montage

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

Fred Kabotie Mural at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

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

Onyx Bridge, Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area

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

Jasper Forest

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

Route 66 Alignment

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

Painted Desert Inn Punched Tin Light Fixtur

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

Summer Solstice Petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo

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

Mountain Lion Petroglyph

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

Paleontological Excavation

Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands.

Sunset on the Tepees

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

Kids Day Camp Field Trip with Park Paleontologist Bill Parker

Kids excavating in the field with Park Paleontologist Bill Parker

Milky Way Over Blue Mesa

Petrified Forest is now an International Dark Sky Park!

RecAreaDirections

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.

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Permits info

Facilities

Painted Desert Inn Visitor Center

In its almost 100 years overlooking the Painted Desert, the inn has undergone many changes. The original building from the early 1920s was made of petrified wood. Today's stucco façade dates to the 1930s renovation of the Painted Desert Inn. The national historic landmark functions only as a museum now, with no overnight accommodation and food service. Displays inside highlight the building's history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are also restored murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.

Painted Desert Visitor Center Facility

Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at exit #311 off of I-40. The center provides information, brochures, book sales, exhibits, and restrooms. A gift shop and convenience store are adjacent to the visitor center. It is part of the Painted Desert Community Complex which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the only place you can obtain a permit for Devil's Playground.

Rainbow Forest Museum Facility

Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms.

Recreation Areas and Campground Database