Petrified Forest National Park One Day Itinerary (2024)
Want to know how to see Petrified Forest National Park in one day? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide!
On our recent drive from Ohio back to California, we had some extra time to make stops along the way.
Our first big stop was Gateway Arch National Park.
Then, as we made our way across the country, our next big stop was Petrified Forest National Park.
We’re calling this a one day itinerary, but really it can be done in a couple of hours.
When we drove through the Petrified Forest, we were stopping in Flagstaff for the night and still had a few hours of daylight.
We thought it would be perfect opportunity to finally stop in and see what all this park had to offer.
You can see our full experience here in this video on our YouTube Channel.
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Petrified Forest National Park One Day Itinerary
Pro Tip: The park closes at sunset, so you need to arrive at least an hour before the park closes, but preferably 2+ hours to really take your time and explore.
➡ Petrified Forest Entrance
There is a 28 mile road that weaves through the entire park with overlooks and trails along the way.
The first half of the road is on the northern side of the park.
Then the road crosses over the interstate into the southern half of the park.
There are several trails along the way, but in the interest of time, we only walked the Giant Logs Trail at the end of the road.
If you have more time or are looking to be out of your car a bit more, you can stop at each trail along the way to get out and explore.
When you get a park map at the entrance, it’ll show the entire road as well as all of the stops along the way, so it’s very easy to navigate.
The trails for the most part are pretty short, so you can stop and get out at whichever places you choose.
The first half of the drive is scenic in the sense of lots of colors in the rocks.
The second half is when you see more of the petrified wood right off the side of the road.
➡ Petrified Forest Northern Drive
After entering the park, the beginning of our Petrified Forest itinerary begins on the Northern Drive.
To get an idea of the difference in scenery between the northern half of the drive and the southern half of the drive, here are a few photos from the northern half.
As you can see in the next few photos, there is an overpass that goes across Route 66 (Interstate 40) that connects the southern half of the park to the northern half of the park.
What’s nice about this little overpass is that you don’t have to leave the park and re-enter the park.
You also don’t have to hop back on the highway at all or deal with any potential traffic there.
➡ Petrified Forest Southern Drive
Once we crossed over the interstate, we were able to see a lot more right from the car on the southern half of the drive.
We didn’t necessarily have to stop at overlooks to get views of the colorful rocks or the petrified wood.
Here are some photos from the first part of the southern half of the road before you really get into the petrified wood section.
After a few minutes of driving down this road, you’ll start to see large stumps of petrified wood.
At this time, we were also enjoying the beginnings of a really great sunset.
This trip was during late January, so we luckily were not dealing with any Winter weather and it may be part of the reason why we hardly came across other drivers during our visit.
I would imagine Summer weekends would be much busier, but probably not too bad where it’s no longer enjoyable.
Here are more photos of the petrified food you can see right from the car:
➡ Giant Logs Trail
At the end of the road we stopped at Giant Logs Trail.
This was the only trail we did in the park.
We got out at some overlooks though along the way.
At Giant Logs Trail there is a visitors center and the Rainbow Forest Museum, so it’s very easy to find.
It’s a short walking trail loop where you can get up close with hundreds of petrified wood stumps.
Here are some photos from the Giant Logs Trail:
➡ Holbrook, Arizona
Once you leave the park, it is a short drive back to the interstate.
We saw some cute historic Route 66 stops along the way which was cool.
The nearest town is Holbrook, Arizona, so depending on your overall trip plans, this may be a great option for camping or finding lodging after your day in Petrified Forest National Park.
Where To Stay When You Visit Petrified Forest National Park
The nearest town is Holbrook, Arizona, which is about 20 miles from Petrified Forest National Park.
There are hotels, motels, campgrounds, and more in the area to choose from.
Here are some top options:
✅ Heritage Inn
This is a highly rated bed and breakfast in Holbrook.
The building is a very classic colonial style and just an all around beautiful property.
Each room has a different theme, layout, and decor, which adds to the experience.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Heritage Inn Today!
✅ Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA
If tent camping, RV camping, or cabin camping is more your speed, there is KOA not too far away from Petrified Forest National Park.
We love staying in KOAs when we travel because of all the amenities available like showers, bathrooms, laundry, and many times recreational activities.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA Today!
✅ WigWam Village Motel #6
Have you ever stayed in Registered Historic Landmark?
This motel is located in Holbrook, Arizona.
The WigWam Village Motel has 15 teepees that are all made of concrete.
These rooms have a toilet, sink, shower, and a vintage car parked out front to make you feel like you’re still in the 1950s.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Stay At The WigWam Village Motel Today!
What Is Petrified Forest National Park?
Petrified Forest National Park is a protected area located in northeastern Arizona, USA.
It is renowned for its extensive deposits of petrified wood, which are ancient tree trunks that have fossilized over millions of years.
The park also features colorful badlands, historic Native American sites, and a diverse range of plant and animal species.
Visitors can explore well-preserved specimens of petrified wood and hike through the unique geological formations of the park while learning about its natural and cultural significance.
Where Is Petrified Forest National Park?
Petrified Forest National Park is situated in the northeastern part of the state of Arizona.
It spans across Navajo and Apache counties and covers an area of about 230 square miles.
The park’s northern boundary borders the Navajo Nation, while its southern border is marked by Interstate 40.
The park is approximately 110 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, and about 220 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Its easily accessible location along Interstate 40 makes it a popular stop for travelers exploring the southwestern United States, offering a unique opportunity to witness ancient petrified wood and captivating geological features.
How To Get To Petrified Forest National Park
To reach Petrified Forest National Park, you can use Interstate 40, a major east-west highway that runs through northern Arizona.
The park is easily accessible via exits 311 (Adamana Road) and 285 (Petrified Forest Road).
It’s situated about 110 miles east of Flagstaff, Arizona, and approximately 220 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Both cities have airports for those traveling by air.
Visitors can also arrive via Greyhound bus service or Amtrak train service to Flagstaff, then rent a car to drive to the park.
The park’s main entrance is near the town of Holbrook, Arizona, and it’s well-signposted along the highway for easy navigation.
Best Time To Visit Petrified Forest National Park
The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) seasons when the weather is mild, and the temperatures are comfortable for outdoor exploration.
These periods offer pleasant hiking conditions and are ideal for viewing the park’s unique landscapes and petrified wood specimens.
Summers (June to August) can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Winters (December to February) can be cold, especially at higher elevations, and occasional snowfall can limit access to some areas of the park.
Therefore, spring and fall are generally considered the most favorable times to experience the park’s natural beauty.
Visiting Petrified Forest National Park With A Private Tour
If you’re visiting from Sedona, you can actually take a private, guided tour to spend just one day at Petrified Forest National Park.
With this tour, they’ll pick you up from your hotel in Sedona and for 9 hours you’ll have a full day out exploring Arizona.
You’ll pass by Oak Creek Canyon, visit Walnut Canyon National Monument, dine in a classic 1950s in Holbrook, then explore Petrified Forest National Park!
At the end of the day, they’ll drop you back off at your hotel in Sedona.
👉 Click Here To Book Your Petrified Forest Ultimate Adventure Private Tour Today!
More National Parks You Can Visit In Arizona
Arizona is a great destination for exploring the outdoors.
Why not visit another destination while you’re already in the area?
After spending one day in Petrified Forest, head over to the Grand Canyon!
✔ Grand Canyon National Park Sunrise Itinerary
Grand Canyon National Park is just a little further down Route 66 from Petrified Forest National Park.
We visited during this same drive home to California from Ohio that we stopped at Petrified Forest.
It was January and a snowstorm blew in overnight in the Flagstaff and Grand Canyon area.
Our intention was to drive up to see the sunrise, maybe walk along the rim a little bit to check out the views, and then continue our drive home.
The snow made it difficult to do anything but enjoy the sunrise, but it was worth it.
It’s a completely different Grand Canyon experience than you’d expect and I highly recommend doing this at least once.
✔ Saguaro National Park One Day Itinerary
Saguaro National Park is in southern Arizona, spanning across all of Tucson.
It’s made up of scenic drives, nature trails, and overlooks with views all over the city.
Conclusion: Petrified Forest National Park One Day Itinerary
So as you can see, your Petrified Forest National Park one day itinerary can be a quick little detour off Route 66 or you can stay for a few hours checking out all the trails and overlooks.
I recommend stopping at the visitor center and gift shop first since the road doesn’t circle back.
We stopped in for our souvenir ornament and a bathroom break before continuing our drive.
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