Petrified Forest National Park isn’t one of the most-visited national parks, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth visiting. I have found that this is a divisive park, and while I don’t think it has the majestic splendor of a park like Yosemite or Arches or Yellowstone, it’s still a stunning park and I would personally still recommend a visit to this unique park.
There is So Much More Here than Just Petrified Wood
While Petrified Forest National Park does have the highest concentration of petrified wood in the world – and also boasts some of the most colorful petrified wood, it’s so much more than just petrified wood. There are badlands, canyons, desertscapes and more. It’s no secret that I truly love deserts, and the desert lands in this park are no exception. That’s a big reason why, I think that this park is absolutely work the visit.
This is Actually a Dog-Friendly National Park
Unlike most of the other US National Parks, this is actually a relatively dog-friendly national parks. Dogs are allowed on paved trails and paths in the front country as well as on backcountry trails. However, dogs must be leashed and you need to be sure to clean up after your dog.
This Park is a Wonderful Stopover If You’re Traveling Down I-40
I-40 is the main road that cuts across across Arizona, east to west and runs along the Historic Route 66 and I-40 literally runs right through the park (as does Historic Route 66). Any time we are driving through Arizona long here, we always stop in the park for a hike to stretch our legs. We always do the Blue Mesa hike – a super short 1 mile trail that is off-the-charts beautiful. But there are several other short trails to take on while here.
Unlike Most Other National Parks, This Park Has Dedicated Hours
Many of the US national parks are open 24/7. Petrified Forest roads are only open from 8am to 6pm – and remember that AZ doesn’t observe daylight savings, so be sure you’ve got the right time when you enter the park. The museums and visitor center have different hours, so check those on the way in. The park is also closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You Can See a Ton of Park Highlights in Half a Day
On our first trip to Petrified Forest, we crammed so much into a 4-hour visit. We were en route to Zion National Park and had never been to Petrified Forest before so we decided to pop in and I was amazed by all the things we were able to see in such a short amount of time.
You Can Also See A Lot of Beauty from the Car
Although we got out and did a ton on foot, the landscape in this park is beautiful in general. There are a lot of small sections of canyons, mesas, and badlands that you can see all from the comfort of your car. You can even see some petrified wood from afar, but hitting the trails definitely takes you closer to the beauty here.
There Are Two Sections of This Park
The Painted Desert is up by the northern entrance to the park. It has a lot of the red-rock canyon looking sections as well as a lot of short trails to different overlooks. It’s also where the park road intersects with old Route 66. The Rainbow Forest is the southern section of the park and holds things like the Puerco Pueblo, my favorite trail – Blue Mesa, and all the different trails that lead to petrified wood!
There Are Interesting Archaeological Sites/Artifacts Here
In addition to the highest concentration of petrified wood, beautiful badlands and canyons, there are a lot of really interesting archaeological sites. I briefly mentioned Puerco Pueblo – the remains of an old pueblo, including a kiva and petroglyphs on the trail, Newspaper Rock – a large concentration of petroglyphs and even a house made of agate! It’s so interesting to see all these things here among the desertscape.
There Isn’t a Lodge or Designated Campground Here
Unlike most other national parks in the US, there aren’t any designated places to stay within the nation park boundaries – lodge or campsite. However, you can camp in the backcountry if you’re backpacking. This does require a permit, though, so don’t forget to grab one of those.
Follow Leave No Trace Principles and Don’t Collect Petrified Wood
Leave no trace principles are vital to ensuring our parks are still here for future generations. Leave it, bare minimum, the same as you found it – even better if you leave it better than you found it. Don’t pick flowers, don’t carve on rocks and for the love of nature, don’t collect any petrified wood. There are shops outside the park that sell pieces of petrified wood that have been collected outside the protected land of the park. That’s where you can get a souvenir like that.
I hope these tips help you know what to expect out of a trip to Petrified Forest National Park. It’s the perfect park to visit as a stopover, stretch your legs on some short hikes or spend a full day or two exploring. I hope you guys enjoy the park as much as I do!
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