Petrified Forest National Park: planning guide
Painted desert and fossilized wood along I-40 in Arizona. Easy roadside stops and short walks.
Petrified Forest National Park is in AZ, United States. The nearest town is Holbrook — roughly 20.3 mi (32.7 km) out, about 47 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: March through May, then October through November. Shoulder season: February and early December.
Summer highs regularly clear 100 °F / 38 °C. Winter is pleasant by day but nights drop below freezing at elevation.
Summer heat is the real hazard, not the crowds. Hike at dawn, skip exposed trails after mid-morning, and never rely on finding water.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Holbrook | 20.3 mi (32.7 km) | 47 min |
| Snowflake | 31.6 mi (50.9 km) | 1 hr 6 min |
| Taylor | 34.9 mi (56.2 km) | 1 hr 12 min |
| Saint Johns | 37.4 mi (60.3 km) | 1 hr 16 min |
| Houck | 42.3 mi (68.1 km) | 1 hr 25 min |
| Dilkon | 44.1 mi (71 km) | 1 hr 28 min |
| Show Low | 47.2 mi (75.9 km) | 1 hr 33 min |
| Winslow | 51.4 mi (82.7 km) | 1 hr 40 min |
Before you go
Petrified Forest National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Wilderness backpacking permit | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wilderness backpacking permit | First-come, first-served | Free. Issued in person the day you camp, until 4:30 PM, at Painted Desert Inn or Rainbow Forest Museum. No Rec.gov reservation. Hike at least ½ mile from your vehicle; group size 8. |
Where Petrified Forest National Park sits
Official Petrified Forest National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park sits close enough to Grand Canyon National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Saguaro National Park, and Chiricahua National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon National Park | 153 mi (247 km) | 4 hr 5 min |
| Mesa Verde National Park | 173 mi (279 km) | 4 hr 33 min |
| Saguaro National Park | 201 mi (323 km) | 5 hr 12 min |
| Chiricahua National Park | 202 mi (325 km) | 5 hr 14 min |
Parks close by
- Grand Canyon National Park
A deep canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona. South Rim is the busy, easy-access side.
- Mesa Verde National Park
Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings on a Colorado mesa. Tours and overlooks explain the sites; stay on designated paths.
- Saguaro National Park
Sonoran Desert outside Tucson with stands of tall saguaro cactus. Best in cooler months; summer heat is serious.
- Chiricahua National Park
National Park Service unit in Arizona (NPS code chir). Congress redesignated Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park. PAD-US 4.1 records 12,203 acres at 32.012148°N, 109.341622°W.
Common questions
Where is Petrified Forest National Park?
Petrified Forest National Park sits in AZ, United States. Holbrook, about 20.3 mi (32.7 km) away — roughly 47 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park?
Generally March through May, then October through November, with February and early December quieter on either side.