Rate Petrified Forest National Park
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Park
Operating Hours & Seasons
January 1-March 4
Winter hours for park entrances and road.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
March 5-May 13
Spring hours for park entrances and road.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Monday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Tuesday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Wednesday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Thursday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Friday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Saturday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
May 14-August 5
Summer hours for park entrances and road.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Monday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Tuesday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Wednesday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Thursday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Friday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
- Saturday:7:00 AM-7:30 PM
August 6-September 2
Late summer hours for park entrances and road.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Monday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Tuesday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Wednesday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Thursday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Friday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Saturday:7:00 AM-7:00 PM
September 3-October 28
Early fall hours for park entrances and road.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Monday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Tuesday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Wednesday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Thursday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Friday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Saturday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM
October 29-December 31
Late fall hours for park entrances and road. Closed Christmas Day
Standard Hours
- Sunday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $20.00 – Auto/7-day pass to Petrified Forest National Park
Fee is for one private vehicle and the people within for 7 days. - $10.00 – Bicycle and walkers/per person
The fee allows for one person walking or one person on a bicycle into the park for 7 days. - $10.00 – Motorcycle (flat fee)
Allows a motorcycle and riders in for 7 days.
Entrance Passes:
- $30.00 – Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass
Good for a private vehicle and its occupants for a year.
About
A Place for Discovery
Did you know that Petrified Forest is more spectacular than ever? While the park has all the wonders known for a century, there are many new adventures and discoveries to share. There are backcountry hikes into areas never open before such as Red Basin and little known areas like the Martha’s Butte. There are new exhibits that bring the stories to life. Come rediscover Petrified Forest!
Directions
Petrified Forest stretches north and south between I-40 and Highway 180. Westbound I-40 travelers should take Exit 311, drive the 28 miles through the park and connect with Hwy 180 at the south end. Travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 North to return to Interstate 40 via Holbrook. Eastbound I-40 travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 South to the park’s south entrance. Drive the 28 miles north through the park to return to I-40.
Visitor Centers
Painted Desert Visitor Center
Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at exit #311 off of I-40. The center provides information, book sales, exhibits, and restrooms. Timeless Impressions, a free orientation film about the park, is shown continuously throughout the day. A restaurant and gift shop are adjacent to the visitor center.It is part of the Painted Desert Community Complex which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Rainbow Forest Museum
Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms. Timeless Impressions, a free orientation film about the park, is shown continuously throughout the day. Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark
Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, located at Kachina Point 2 miles from the north entrance at exit #311 off of I-40, once served as a respite for travelers along historic Route 66. From the inn, you may view distant vistas and exhibits while touring this historic building.
Weather
Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often violent summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
Own or work here?
Nearby Businesses
