Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
With one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of 225 million year old fossils, this is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Elias (Lee) BaizaPhone Number: 928-524-6228
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5 (bicyclists & walk-ins); Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass: $20
Sights: Painted Desert Inn; Agate House; Puerco Pueblo
Endangered Species: Sonora Pronghorn
Important Dates
Established as Park: December 9, 1962By The Numbers
Acres: 93,533.00Highest Point: Pilot Rock (6234 feet)
Annual Visitation: 581,681 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :35.108450 / -109.814240 (map it)
State: AZ
Nearby Big City: Petrified Forest Natl Pk, AZ
Gateway Communities: Chambers, AZ; Holbrook, AZ; Sanders, AZ; Woodruff, AZ; Joseph City, AZ; Concho, AZ; Snowflake, AZ; Indian Wells, AZ; Taylor, AZ
Nearby Airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX); Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Painted Desert
Mike Norton
Petrified Tree
Mike Norton
Petrified Forest, 2099
National Park Service
View More Petrified Forest Photos
In Detail
Animals Birds Like many national park areas, Petrified Forest National Park provides a unique place of protection and preservation. Here, birds can find food and shelter that may not be available in other re ... read more.
Camping Camping Petrified Forest National Park does not have campground facilities, and overnight parking is not allowed. Backpack camping is allowed within the Wilderness Area, requiring, at minimum, a 1 mi ... read more.
Geology Natural Features & Ecosystems Petrified Forest National Park contains the petrified remains of 225 million year old trees from the Late Triassic. Surrounding the petrified wood are millions of yea ... read more.
History Prehistoric Peoples The ancient people may not have recognized the petrified wood as fossil tree pieces, but they did have stories to explain this abundant resource. The Paiute of southern Utah beli ... read more.
In A Nutshell Things To Know Before You Come Accessibility Visitor centers, restrooms, and picnic areas are accessible or accessible with assistance for wheelchair users. Trails are not accessible. ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger Petrified Forest National Park welcomes kids to learn more about the ancient environment of the Late Triassic - when the petrified trees were alive and dinosaurs roamed the land. J ... read more.
Natural World Fossils Fossils are clues to the past, allowing researchers to reconstruct ancient animals and plants. Together with the surrounding rocks, fossils tell the stories of ancient ecosystems. Petrified F ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Bicycling Information Bicycles are a great way to travel through Petrified Forest National Park. The 28 mile park road and 3.5 mile loop around Blue Mesa offer scenic vistas without large changes in ... read more.
Plants Plant Megafossils Late Triassic plant megafossils found in Petrified Forest National Park Compiled by Dr. Sid Ash, September 2003 * species based on fossils collected in the park ** species and genot ... read more.
Preservation Bookstore Petrified Forest National Park hosts three bookstores operated by the Petrified Forest Museum Association located in the Painted Desert Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn, and Rainbow Fores ... read more.
Sights to See Stone Tree House The Painted Desert Inn was the vision of Herbert Lore, a local homesteader. He constructed the two-story Inn on a high perch overlooking the Painted Desert by 1924. The Inn was nickn ... read more.
Things To Do Science and Education Center Lecture Series The Petrified Forest National Park Science and Education Center was established to bring park visitors and researchers together to foster understanding and ... read more.
Visitor Services Fees & Reservations ENTRANCE FEES Private Vehicles: $10 (for 7 days) Bicyclists and Walk-ins: $5 (for 7 days) Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass: $20.00 All U.S. military veterans and current ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Hiking One of the best ways to enjoy and experience Petrified Forest National Park is on foot. Maintained trails range in length from one-third mile to almost three miles. You can also hike in the tr ... read more.
Petrified Forest In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
