The park, located in Eastern Arizona off I-40 between Winslow and Gallup, contains sections of the breath-taking 'El Desierto Pintado' or Painted Desert, which consists of over 40 acres of 'painted' mesas, buttes, badlands, and grasslands. The Petrified Forest National Park is also the only national park to preserve part of the famous Route 66 within its boundaries. Within the Petrified Forest National Park area, you can view petroglyphs and petrified trees, as well as explore the habitat of lizards, pronghorn, bats, rabbits, coyote, and other animals unique to the desert area. The park offers hundreds of acres of trail-less wilderness hiking for the more adventurous hiker.
Photography and RVing seem to go hand in hand, but if you're one who occasionally leaves your camera at home, your trip to the Petrified Forest should definitely not be one of those times. There are six major viewpoints as you follow about a 26-mile main viewing section of the park. You'll be amazed at the unique landscapes, structures, and history that will unfold before your eyes during those few miles.
Some of the sites that you won't want to miss include:
The Tepees are striated hills that resemble a tepee, found in the barren badlands. The hills feature striking white layers of sandstone, dark layers caused by high carbon content, and a red-colored based caused by hematite.
Agate Bridge is a petrified tree with both ends still embedded in the sandstone that serves as a bridge. The bridge has been reinforced in recent years, but you're not allowed to walk on it.
Puerco Pueblo is an archeological site that originally consisted of 76 rooms and a kiva.
Newspaper Rock, located in the south area of the park, displays petroglyphs in sandstone.
Black Forest is so named for the darker petrified wood.
Blue Mesa area features bluish-gray sculpted hills and striated rocks and is often referred to as 'moonscape.' It is located off a loop so you can get closer to the magnificent colors of one of the most stunning sites of the park.
Jasper Forest is a valley that is strewn with petrified logs. At one time the valley was covered with logs, before early travelers started hauling away the logs in carts after the completion of the nearby railway in 1882.
Crystal Forest now consists of mainly typical petrified logs, but at one time it was comprised mostly of logs which contained quartz and purple amethyst crystals, until visitors and travelers collected the best of the beautiful log as souvenirs. Even though it may not boast the splendor that it once did, the Crystal Forest is still a worthwhile and interesting site.
Rainbow Forest is a dense forest of petrified logs. On this trail you'll also find the Giant Logs, which are the largest petrified logs in the park. The Rainbow Forest Museum is also in this area.
Just the Facts:
- Closest town to the Petrified National Park is Holbrook, 26 miles to the west of the park
- There are restaurants and shops in Holbrook
- No camping in park, but there is backpacker camping in Painted Desert wilderness area. Permit is required for overnight use and must be obtained in time to reach campsite before parking closing.
- Admission fee for Petrified Forest National Park is $10 per car for 7-day pass; $5 per motorcycle, bike, or on foot for 7-day pass.
- Park hours are: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM in winter; 7:00 AM-6:00 PM in spring; 7:00 AM-7:00 PM in summer; 7:00 AM-6:00 PM in fall
- For more information call the Petrified National Park at 928-524-6228
Places of Interest:
Painted Desert Visitor Center (I-40 Exit #311)
928-524-6228
Open daily except December 25, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM MST
Show of 20-minute video at 30-minute intervals, restrooms, bookstore
Painted Desert Inn (2 miles north of park entrance)
Open daily 8:00 AM-4:00 PM MST
Features Fred Kabotie murals, Native American artisans working on their crafts, cultural history of Petrified Forest area, books for sale, restrooms
Rainbow Forest Museum (South entrance of park-- U.S. 180)
928-524-6228
Open daily except December 25, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM MST
Exhibits of reptiles and petrified wood, etc., restrooms, bookstore
Area RV Parks
As always, call ahead to confirm most current rates and information
OK RV PARK
1576 Roadrunner Road, Holbrook, AZ. (Near I-40)
866-403-1392
Reservations: 928-524-3226
Open 7:00 AM- 8:00 PM, 7 days a week
Price range: $25-$29 per night
KOA KAMPGROUNDS
102 Hermosa Dr., Holbrook, AZ.
928-524-6689
METEOR CRATER RV PARK, 20 miles west of Winslow, Off I-40 @ Exit #233
1-800-478-4002
Features Meteor Crater Visitor Center and the Meteor Crater Interactive Learning Center
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