General information about the National Park
The Petrified Forest National Park protects a geologically very interesting desert area. You can also find a huge number of petrified trees and fossils.
Number of visitors
In 2023, Petrified Forest NP ranked 38th in the visitor statistics for the most visited national parks.
Best time to visit: Spring and fall.
Our visits:
So far 1 visit: September 2011
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 25$/car valid for 7 days
- Covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year except Christmas.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Giant Logs
Description: This 0.4mi loop trail is located directly behind the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center, in the south of the park. If you start your tour through the park here, these are the first petrified trees you can look at. Like everywhere else in the park, the trees are lying on the ground and the trails lead around them.
Our rating: A nice start for the visit to the park to already get a nice impression. We also enjoyed the museum it was interesting and worth seeing.
Crystal Forest
Description: This trail is 0.7mi long and leads across a huge field with countless petrified trees in the most incredible colors. The trail is paved and easy to walk.
Our rating: This was one of the highlights of our visit in October 2011. We really liked the trail, especially because of the incredible colors that the petrified trees have. In our opinion, one of the trails you should hike when you are visiting here.
Jasper Forest Overlook
Description: Here you stand at an overlook and can look at an area with a lot of petrified trees. Besides that, the view with the colorful badlands is really worth seeing.
Our rating: If you have time, the overlook is worth a stop.
Agate Bridge
Description: Agate Bridge is a 112ft long petrified tree that spans a wash.
Our rating: Quite nice, but not a must-see, especially because a concrete bridge was built under the tree.
Blue Mesa
Description: The trail descends to the colorful hills of Blue Mesa. The entire trail is paved and easy to hike. It is 1mi long.
Our rating: This trail is another highlight in the park. Great, bright colors in an inhospitable landscape. You should definitely come here when visiting the Petrified Forest NP.
Newspaper Rock
Description: Newspaper Rock is neither a newspaper nor a single rock. Rather, it is a collection of over 650 petroglyphs on a variety of rocks. They are between 650 and 2000 years old.
Our rating: It's not a must see, the stone is relatively far away from the overlook and you can't really see the actual signs very well.
Painted Desert
Description: There are several viewpoints from which you can look at the colorful rocks and badlands. In addition, you can walk in a few places and take a closer look at the hills.
Our rating: The Painted Desert offers great views of the colorful badlands that give this landscape its name. Especially at sunset, when the rocks start to glow orange. This is not to be missed when visiting the Petrified Forest NP.
