This is a new national park for us and one that seemed like we would never get to. Located along Interstate 40 about 50 miles from the New Mexico border, it is remote. Even just driving along the interstate you would never believe that just off this stretch of highway lies some of the most beautiful badlands in Arizona. The northern most part of the national park lies within the Painted Desert and it is really one of the most beautiful parts in Arizona.

The most amazing part about this national park is the petrified wood you see that is from trees that lived 225 million years ago. Some incredible fossils have been found within the parks 346 miles. Giant reptiles, early dinosaurs and other late triassic plants. As we explored, we kind of thought it is a mix of Death Valley National Park, Painted Hill National Monument and Cathedral Gorge State Park, but with Petrified trees and Petrified forests!

Exploring Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona

You have two entry options to get into Petrified Forest National Park.

North Entrance

Located just off Interstate 40, this is the main entrance people arrive at. You will follow the winding road, past the welcome sign that people like to take pictures at, through the fee booth and to the visitor center. Stop to get more information about this incredible area and peruse the gift shop. This is the entrance that is also close to the Painted Desert Inn, Post Office, Restaurant and the Dog Park!

South Entrance

Located at the south end of the national park the entrance is off of U.S. Route 180. There is a small RV park just outside of the entrance if you are hoping to travel via RV. This entrance to the national park is the bigger of the two. There is a small theater, gift shop, book shop, museum and Rainbow Forest Lodge. There are also trails directly from the parking lot, which the main one is Agate House.

One Day Itinerary for Petrified Forest National Park

While this national park is large, it is laid out so that you can see quite a bit in a day. So if you only have a day, make sure to follow these stops and don’t forget to bring lunch!

Entering from the north entrance along interstate 40 here is the best itinerary for your day at Petrified Forest National Park.

Petrified Forest National Park Sign

Petrified Forest National Park North Visitor Center

Painted Desert Rim Trail (1.2 miles 52′)

Tiponi Point

We didn’t end up stopping here but when we drove by it definitely was one of the best available view points in this section of the park.

Whipple Point

Another beautiful stopping point for a view.

Route 66 Marker

For people who love Route 66, it goes right through the national park and has its own stop!

Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument

If you are into petroglyphs than this is your stop. With over 650 petroglyphs it could take you awhile to see them all!

Lunch! Take Blue Mesa Scenic Road all the way to the end. This is a perfect spot for lunch before your next hike. There are two picnic tables under shade with plenty of parking.

Blue Mesa Trail (1 mile, 114′)

If you only do one hike in the national park, then this is the one to make it to!

A paved trail awaits you for your journey through time.

Take a leisurely stroll through an area created hundreds of millions of years ago!

It is really cool as you start seeing the petrified wood. It almost looks like someone chopped a bunch of wood and just threw it anywhere.

Make sure to stop at the large piece of petrified wood that is naturally on display. You can walk up to it and really see how it now looks like smooth rock but also wood at the same time.

Jasper Forest

Then as you venture on, this is a must stop. It is a forest of fallen trees and it is incredible to see!

Rainbow Forest Museum

Learn about the history of the national park. In 1906 part of the petrified forest was set aside as a national monument and the original building was at the same spot as this museum.

Fun Facts about Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Monument became a national Park on December 9, 1962.

Over 13,000 years of human life can be found within its 221,390 acres.

About 800,000 people visit this park each year.

While this national park doesn’t have the largest petrified tree or any standing upright, it does have one of the largest concentration of petrified trees in the world.

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