Petrified Forest National Park

National Park Service, Arizona.

Park Hours: 8am to 5pm, MST. Don't forget that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. Petrified Forest is best known for its Triassic fossils. It's like having two parks in one, an ecosystem over 200 million years old with plants and animals now represented in the surreal landscape of the Painted Desert. There is also a living park with its own denizens adapted to a demanding environment.

Nearby Activities

  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Horse Camping
  • Horseback Riding
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife Viewing

Directions

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.

Additional Information

  • Petrified Forest National Park Map
  • Petrified Forest National Park Official Website

Photo Gallery

  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Petrified Forest National Wilderness AreaSunrise and sunset are favorite times to view the colorful Painted Desert of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
  • Painted Desert Inn National Historic LandmarkSunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.
  • Agate HouseAgate House was built over 900 years ago out of pieces of petrified wood
  • Puerco PuebloMasonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo.
  • Blue Mesa TrailVisitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.
  • Jasper ForestJasper Forest has some of the most colorful logs in the park.
  • Summer Solstice Petroglyph at Puerco PuebloA petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo interacts with the sunlight on the summer solstice.
  • Mountain Lion PetroglyphThis ancient petroglyph of a mountain lion has become an icon of the park.
  • Paleontological ExcavationResearchers dig for fossils in the badlands.

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