Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. The Petrified Forest features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. The park covers 218,533 acres (341.5 sq mi / 885 km2).

The Petrified Forest area was designated a National Monument on December 8, 1906. The Painted Desert was added later, and on December 9, 1962, the whole monument received national park status.

Hiking opportunities are limited. The longest established trail in the park extends for only two miles; the others are one mile or less. Backcountry camping and hiking are allowed by permit only.

The pieces of permineralized wood are fossil Araucariaceae, a family of trees that is extinct in the Northern Hemisphere but survives in isolated stands in the Southern Hemisphere.

Location

Northeastern
Arizona, USA

Getting There

Here are some ways to get there depending on your starting location:

If you are coming from Phoenix, take I-17 northbound until you reach Flagstaff. From Flagstaff, take I-40 eastbound until you reach Exit 311 for Petrified Forest Road. Follow Petrified Forest Road until you reach the park entrance.

If you are coming from Albuquerque, take I-40 westbound until you reach Exit 311 for Petrified Forest Road. Follow Petrified Forest Road until you reach the park entrance.

If you are coming from the Grand Canyon, take AZ-64 eastbound until you reach US-89. Turn right onto US-89 and continue until you reach I-40. Take I-40 eastbound until you reach Exit 311 for Petrified Forest Road. Follow Petrified Forest Road until you reach the park entrance.

If you are coming from Holbrook, Arizona, take I-40 westbound until you reach Exit 311 for Petrified Forest Road. Follow Petrified Forest Road until you reach the park entrance.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Arizona that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.