Petrified Forest National Park: RV Camping and Travel Guide
Make no prehistoric bones about it: Whether you have never studied geology or trained as a scientist, seeing fallen, petrified, and crystalized trees that lived during the Late Triassic Epoch of the Mesozoic era (225–207 million years ago) is truly mind blowing! Combine the surreal landscapes of the Painted Desert with the bobcats, coyotes, pronghorn, lizards, and more than 200 species of birds that call it home, and you’ll understand while campers come from all over the world to explore this small, middle of nowhere, park located in northeastern Arizona. Straddling the border between Apache County and Navajo County, Petrified Forest National Park is about 50 miles from the New Mexico border and just a short detour from Route 66!
Getting to this park along the “Mother Road” of Route 66 is as much fun as driving the park road. Traces of the old roadbed and weathered telephone poles mark the path of the famous “Main Street of America.” That makes the Petrified Forest the only park in the National Park System containing a section of this famous road established 100 years ago this year!
Scenic Drives
Petrified Forest National Park stretches north and south between Interstate 40 and Highway 180. Painted Desert Visitor Center lies at the north entrance near I-40, and Rainbow Forest Museum is at the south entrance nearHighway 180. Both visitor centers are well worth a visit. The main park road is a beautiful, 28-mile scenic drive with spurs and viewpoints along the way. While you can drive the road in about an hour, be sure to allow plenty of time for some short hikes, snapping some cool photos, and exploring the natural and cultural history of this fascinating desert. There are several free self-guided audio tours of the park; be sure to download them through the National Park Service app before heading into the park.
Must-Hike Trails
Unlike most other national parks, Petrified Forest National Park is a small park filled with several short trails that can be hiked in a one- or two-day visit. While most trails are very easy, the heat in the warmer months could make hiking more difficult. (Start hydrated, stay hydrated!) Another unique thing about this park is that dogs ARE allowed on trails. (That is, as long as they have received their BARK Ranger orientation and tag!)
So, here’s a breakdown of trails under and over one mile.
Under One Mile
- Puerco Pueblo. Short but intriguing, this paved walk leads to and around the remains of a 100-room pueblo that was occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people more than 600 years ago! Petroglyphs can be found along the south end of the trail. Distance: 0.3-mile loop, accessible
- Crystal Forest. Named for the presence of beautiful crystals that are found in petrified logs, this trail offers one of the best opportunities to see petrified wood deposits. Distance: 0.75-mile loop
- Giant Logs. Massive trees came to rest along this loop. This short hike features some of the largest and most colorful logs in the park with “Old Faithful” at the top of the trail being 10 feet wide at the base. Distance: 0.4-mile loop
Over One Mile
- Painted Desert Rim Trail. Winding through the rim woodland, hikers get stunning views of the Painted Desert with opportunities to see wildlife and unique plants. Distance: 1 mile, roundtrip
- Blue Mesa. Descending down from the mesa, this paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among badland-type hills of bluish bentonite clay as well as petrified wood. Numerous fossils have been found by paleontologists among the sedimentary layers. Distance: 1-mile loop
- Agate House.* Archeologists believe that this small pueblo, an 8-room home with an entrance through the ceiling, was occupied for a short time about 700 years ago. (Note: You may view this ancient structure from 15 feet away, but it is not open to the public.) Distance: 2 miles, roundtrip
- Long Logs.* Explore one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the park! This ancient log jam is at the base of gray badlands. Distance: 1.6-mile loop
*Combine the Agate House and Long Logs trails for a 2.6-mile roundtrip hike, the longest developed trail in the park.
Off-Trail and Backcountry Hiking
Looking for a longer, more challenging, off-trail adventure? You may hike throughout the park. (That is, as long as you are safely and legally parked.) Ask for a guide at the visitor’s center before heading out. There are some closed areas in the park due to safety concerns or fragile areas.
The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area has two units. The first is the northern part. This area allows hikers to roam the red and orange sections of the Painted Desert. The second is the southern area. This part showcases highly eroded landscapes, badlands, and petrified wood. No permits are required for day hiking, except for the Devil’s Playground. (A highly eroded area of the park which features fascinating shapes banded with gray, purple, and blue.) Only three permits are available each week for the Devil’s Playground. This starts on Wednesday on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
RV Parks & Campgrounds
There are no RV campgrounds within the park boundaries, and overnight RV parking is not permitted. There is, however, free backcountry tent camping within the park (with a permit).
- National Park & National Forest sites within two or three hours drive: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
- Arizona State Parks within two or three hours drive: Homolovi State Park, Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area, Lyman Lake State Park
Private campgrounds are located throughout both Navajo and Apache Counties, in and around Holbrook, Sun Valley, St. Johns, Joseph City, and other communities. Also, Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome members can take advantage of a handful of nearby sites within 10 to 30 miles of the park.
Seasonal Advice
While referred to as a “desert,” Petrified Forest National Park is officially an semi-arid grassland at an elevation of 5,400 feet. Temperatures range from above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to well-below freezing in the winter. (Naturally, late spring and early fall offer the most moderate weather.) About 10 inches of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often violent thunderstorms which bring monsoons in the summer. So, check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
If you are planning on doing some hiking, we recommend planning at least two days in this park. Also, consider combining it with a visit to several other fantastic area attractions. The Southwest is full of them — Chiricua National Monument, Saguaro National Park, White Sands National Park, and of course, the Grand Canyon! There’s so much to see, do, and explore in this part of the Southwest!
Unique Programs & Opportunities
Museum Demonstration Lab
Visit the Demo Lab at the Painted Desert Visitor Center. Here, you can see one-of-a-kind fossils being prepared by trained paleontologists! Peek through the window to see fossils from the museum collection, watch a live microscope feed as paleontologists remove rock from fossil bone, and chat with scientists via a two-way speaker. (Sadly, there is no Mr. D.N.A. from Jurassic Park, but, on the flip side, there are also no velociraptor attacks.)
Cultural Demonstrations
Over 30 tribes throughout the west are affiliated with this national park. Cultural demonstrations provide local artisans the opportunity to share their cultural and historical connections to this region. This even includes demonstrations that are offered between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.
Horseback Riding
Riding horses is a very unique experience and a wonderful way to explore the expansive scenery of this park. Located just two miles north of the Painted Desert Visitor Center is the Painted Desert Wilderness access trail near Kachina Point. Nicely, this is where you will find trailer parking and loading/unloading room. The first section of switchbacks descend 400 feet on an unstable surface, with steep drop-offs. Depending on your capability, you may want to lead your horse down. Once in the Painted Desert, there is very little grade change and riding is easy.
Bicycling
Visitors may bike on paved park roads, but be careful as visitors are looking at the view. Unpaved areas where bikes are allowed include the following.
- Unpaved portion of Old Route 66 from the main park road to the east boundary fence.
- Eastern portion of Old Highway 180 in the Rainbow Forest area from its intersection with the main park road to the east boundary.
- Portion of the Long Logs Trail from its intersection with the main park road, continuing to the trailhead loop area (about a half-mile up the trail).
- Trail beginning at the Rainbow Forest Picnic Area, and continuing to the base of the mesa, ending at a loop in the road (about one mile in length).
Photographers Paradise
Early morning and late afternoon/evening images of this national park make for stunning photography opportunities. From long range views to macrophotography of ancient crystalized trees, you will find not shortage of subjects.
Geocaching
Participate in a real-world treasure hunt! Virtual, traditional, and earthcaches can be found throughout the park. Players locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and share their experiences. Some of the physical geocaches in the park are part of the Historic Route 66 Geocaching Project. This series was created by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. All of the physical geocaches in the park are placed and maintained by the National Park Service. Once you find the geocache, sign the log inside and hide the cache back where you found it. Then log your visit online at Geocaching.com or download the Geocaching app.
Ranger Programs
Keep your eyes open for interpreters out on the trails, the plaza, museum, and at overlooks throughout the park. Rangers, volunteers, and museum associates are happy to answer questions and share the park’s many stories.
Night Sky Viewing by Night, Plus Fiery Sunsets and Sunrises by Day
With the clear skies and lack of city lights nearby, you are (nearly) guaranteed the best night sky viewing you’ll ever experience. Likewise, at sunset and sunrise. The light shows in this park are truly unreal. You can watch the colors of the Painted Desert change as the morning and evening light dances across the landscape!
Freedom in a Can
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