While most families planning a National Parks vacation to Arizona know about the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park is a lesser well-known site in the state. Don’t make the mistake of skipping past this natural treasure! This unique park contains a vast landscape of colorful petrified wood, ancient fossils, and local history. From hiking among preserved trees to learning about ancient cultures, there is something for all ages to enjoy at Petrified Forest National Park. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family, shares how your family can plan a geological adventure while exploring Petrified Forest National Park with kids.
History of Petrified National Park
The land where Petrified Forest National Park is located was once home to a diverse array of plants and animals in a lush forest. Over time, the forests were washed away by an ancient river and buried under sediment and volcanic ash. Minerals were absorbed into the porous wood over hundreds of thousands of years and crystallized within the cellular structure. Today, these colorful logs of petrified wood are made almost entirely of quartz crystals and sparkle in the sun.
The park land also bears remnants of many different cultures over time. Petroglyphs and the remains of Native American Settlements are preserved within the park boundaries and can be viewed from park trails. After the land was designated as a National Monument in 1906, an entrepreneur constructed an inn within the park in the 1920s to serve travelers in the area. This inn was remodeled and refurbished several times over the years and is still an icon of the park today. The history of many travelers over the years is also protected along a portion of the historic Route 66 roadway, which once passed through the park.
Things to know before visiting Petrified Forest National Park
Taking a family trip to Petrified Forest National Park promises an immersive journey through ancient landscapes and natural wonders. From marveling at the mesmerizing petrified wood to delving into the region’s rich paleontological history, there’s no shortage of excitement awaiting young adventurers and their guardians. However, with its vast expanse and diverse terrain, a successful trip with kids requires some careful planning and consideration. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors enthusiast or a first-time explorer, here are some essential tips and insights to ensure your family’s visit to Petrified Forest National Park is as enriching as it is memorable.
Entering Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is easily accessible from Interstate 40 across Arizona. The park has two entrances off the main road, a north entrance and a south entrance, connected by a 28-mile-long paved main park road. The northern part of the park features painted desert vistas, while the southern part contains the largest concentrations of petrified logs.
While many National Parks are open 24 hours a day, that is not the case at Petrified Forest. To protect the petrified wood from being looted, the park is generally only open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closes for the night. The park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Also note, that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings and remains on Mountain Standard time year round.
Petrified Forest National Park fees and rules
Petrified Forest National Park does not require timed reservations. However, it does require an entrance pass of $25 for personal vehicles. This pass is good for seven days, but you can easily see much of the park in a day. Interagency passes such as the American the Beautiful pass are also accepted.
The park was created to preserve the petrified wood, fossils, and artifacts found here. Please obey all the rules and do not remove any petrified wood or artifacts from the park. If you would like a piece of wood to take with you, you can purchase legally obtained petrified wood from the park’s gift shops or several stores outside the park’s south entrance.
Best time of year to visit Petrified Forest NP
Petrified Forest National Park is located in a semi-arid grassland with a wide swing of temperatures. Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit, with milder temperatures. Seasonally, wildflowers dot the park during the spring and summer seasons. The summer months can be very hot. While the climate is very dry, the temperatures in the summer can exceed 100° F with no shade. If you must visit in summer, try to visit earlier in the day if possible.
What to pack for visiting Petrified Forest National Park
While the park is located close to the interstate, it is still in a fairly remote area. Be sure to bring along all needed supplies, plenty of snacks, and water, especially for the hot and dry climate. The park’s elevation varies from 5,300 to 6,200 feet, so it is recommended to drink more water if you are visiting from lower elevations. The Painted Desert Inn and Painted Desert Visitor Center do offer a cafe and ice cream shop; however, hours can vary by season.
There are several hiking trails in the park where comfortable shoes are recommended. There is no shade, so a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are needed for protection. The park can be very windy, so a hat with a neck or chin strap is advised to avoid chasing a wind-blown hat down the trail. A first-aid kit is always a good idea to have on hand, especially with kids. There is only one road through the park so it is difficult to get lost, however, a good map of the area such as the park brochure can be helpful.
Where to stay for visiting Petrified Forest
Since Petrified Forest National Park is only open for day use, there are no lodging or campground options within the park. However, you can find campsites and hotels in the nearby towns of Holbrook or Winslow, Arizona. The town of Gallup, New Mexico, is another option for lodging.
Petrified Forest National Park kid-friendly hikes
Most of the developed trails at Petrified Forest are short and fairly flat, making them suitable for all ages. There are even several paved trails suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Kids will enjoy viewing the unique and glittering petrified logs along many of the trails. Also, watch for roving park rangers and volunteers in areas like Puerco Pueblo and Crystal Forest for on-the-spot information, including show-and-tell items to share!
Tawa Trail (1.2 miles each way)
If you enter the park from the north entrance, Tawa is the first trail you will reach. This out-and-back trail starts at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and leads to the Tawa Point Overlook. It is flat and travels through a grassland area.
Painted Desert Rim Trail (0.5 mile each way)
The Painted Desert hike is another out-and-back short trail. This unpaved path connects Tawa Point to the Painted Desert Inn and offers outstanding views of the colorful badlands of the painted desert.
Puerco Pueblo (0.3 mile loop)
This short, paved loop trail showcases the ruins of a hundred-room pueblo occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people over 600 years ago. The south end of the trail overlooks viewpoints of several petroglyphs. Be sure to remain on the trail and do not touch the rock walls or petroglyphs.
Blue Mesa (1.0 mile loop)
If you only do one hike at Petrified Forest National Park, this should be it. This is my favorite hike inside the park. It is more rugged than other trails due to a steep climb back up to the trailhead, but the views of the blue mesa hills are amazing. The pathway is mostly paved, but too steep for a stroller. Use caution with kids on the upper level of the hike as the path is narrow, and there are drop-offs. The lower portion is a nice and flat loop, making it one of the best hikes for kids.
Crystal Forest (0.75 mile loop)
The Crystal Forest trail is another short and easy loop that offers one of the best opportunities to view the petrified wood deposits. The crystal deposits in the wood definitely make the logs sparkle in the sun.
Giant Logs (0.4 mile loop)
The Giant Logs loop is a popular trail located behind the Rainbow Forest Museum near the south entrance. This loop passes the largest and most colorful logs in the park. The log known as “Old Faithful” is almost 10 feet wide at the base!
Long Logs (1.6 mile loop)
This longer trail offers views of one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the park. The first half mile is paved and suitable for strollers. After that the path is rougher with narrow turns. This trail leaves from a trailhead near the Rainbow Forest Museum and can be combined with the longer Agate House loop.
Agate House (2 mile loop)
The Agate House trail offers views of a small pueblo that archeologists believe was occupied for a short time about 700 years ago. This trail is a spur off of the Long Logs Trail. You can combine both loops together for a total 2.6 mile trek. Keep in mind there is no shade and this hike can be rough during the summer.
Additional activities at Petrified Forest National Park
Even if you only have a brief time to visit or it is too hot for hiking, there are still several other activities for all ages to enjoy.
Drive the park drive
If you are limited in time, driving the park road takes about an hour. However, there are many viewpoints and stops along the way that are well worth the time. The northern part of the park offers several overlooks with sweeping views of the painted desert. The portion of the park road south of the interstate offers views of petrified wood, the Blue Mesa, and petroglyphs.
Take a tour (teens and adults)
The National Park offers a service called Adventure With a Ranger in the backcountry of the Petrified Forest National Park. During these popular backcountry hikes, visitors get the opportunity to connect with scientists and park rangers. Many of these hikes are longer (3-8 miles) with more rugged terrain than some of the hikes listed above. Reservations are required. However, this is best for older kids (teens), as no children under 12 years of age are allowed.
Explore the Visitor Centers
Petrified Forest features two visitor centers, one at each end of the park. The Painted Desert Visitor Center & Oasis is located at the north entrance just off the interstate. During our visit, there was construction around the site, but the center offers a bookstore, park information, cafe, gas station, and gift shop. Located near the south entrance of the park, the Rainbow Forest Center and Museum offers paleontological exhibits, park movie, gift shop, and visitor information. There is even an interactive exhibit for kids to “dig” for fossils.
Visit the historic Painted Desert Inn
Near the north entrance of the park is the Painted Desert Inn. The original inn was constructed out of petrified wood in the 1920s and acted as a stop for tourists in the remote area. After being purchased by the park service, the Civilian Conservation Corps performed renovations and added an adobe facade in the 1930s. The inn continued to offer food and lodging to Route 66 travelers and was also owned by the Fred Harvey Company as a partnership to the Santa Fe Railroad.
Today, the inn serves as a museum. The walls showcase murals painted by a Hopi artist employed by the Fred Harvey Company. Displays inside highlight the history of the inn, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The inn has an ice cream parlor and restrooms. It also offers stunning views of the Painted Desert.
See the remains of historic Route 66
At the north end of the park, a small pull-off and parking lot are located next to a rusty 1932 Studebaker automobile. This car marks the site where the original Route 66 once passed through the park. You can view the roadbed and old telephone poles that trace the former highway’s path. Petrified Forest is the only national park that contains a portion of this well-known historic road.
Earn Junior Ranger badges
Like other National Park Service sites, Petrified Forest National Park offers a Junior Ranger program for kids of all ages. Kids can pick up a junior ranger booklet at either visitor center to complete.
Locate geocaches
We did not have time to look for any caches, but Petrified Forest contains traditional, virtual, and Earthcaches. Some of the caches in the park are part of the Historic Route 66 Geocache project. This could be a fun treasure hunt activity to keep kids excited about exploring the park.
Exploring Petrified Forest National Park with kids
Exploring Petrified Forest National Park with kids is a wonderful way to introduce them to the wonders of nature and geology. The park offers a unique opportunity to view the beauty of ancient petrified trees and colorful badlands, as well as learn about the rich history of the area. With a variety of kid-friendly trails and activities, the whole family can connect with the natural world in a fun and educational way. Don’t speed past this scenic wonder, but stop and take the time for a rewarding and less crowded national park experience.
Have you ever visited Petrified Forest National Park?
About the author
Sara Lesire has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years, and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is her family’s most popular activity, followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s, and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.
You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
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RWMC posts: Sara Lesire
