6 Key Things to Know Before Visiting Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest National Park is a picturesque desert in northeast Arizona filled with crystallized petrified wood, painted hills, and colorful badlands. Despite being right off I-40, Petrified Forest is one of the least visited and most underrated National Parks in the USA.

hiking the blue mesa trail in petrified forest national park

Before visiting Petrified Forest National Park, there are some things you should know. From restricted park hours and camping options to dogs and fines, here are six key things to know before visiting Petrified Forest National Park.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK AT A GLANCE

Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Petrified Forest National Park.

Getting There: The closest major airports to Petrified Forest are Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Albuquerque International, which are both about 3 hours from the park. Find affordable flights here.
Entrance Fee: $25/vehicle or FREE with an America the Beautiful Pass
Where to Stay: Camp in the park’s backcountry (there are no frontcountry campgrounds) or stay right outside the park in the town of Holbrook.
How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around Petrified Forest.
Best Time to Visit: September – May
How Long to Visit: 1 day (One Day Petrified Forest Itinerary)

Table of Contents

6 Key Things to Know Before Visiting Petrified Forest

1. The park has no RV, car, or frontcountry camping.

tawa point near the painted desert visitor center in petrified forest national park

If you want to camp in Petrified Forest National Park, you’ll have to stay overnight in the backcountry. This is because the park has no frontcountry, RV, or car camping. There is also no boondocking, dispersed or “primitive” camping, or pulling off into a parking area.

If you’d like to go backpacking, you’ll need to snag a free permit at one of the visitor centers at least one hour before the park closes! Then you’re free to backpack into the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area to spend the night in the park, at least a half-mile from your vehicle.

If you’d like to camp in the frontcountry, here are some nearby campgrounds:

Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA – 22 miles from the park’s south entrance
OK RV Park – 22 miles from the park’s south entrance

2. The park is not open 24/7.

rainbow forest museum and visitor center at petrified forest national park

Petrified Forest is one of the few National Parks that closes its gates overnight.

Typical park hours are 8 am – 5 pm, but hours can be slightly extended during the busy season or for special events. The park kept its gates open until 6 pm when we visited in October. Check current park hours here before you go.

crystal forest trail at petrified forest national park

The only way you’d be allowed to stay in the park after hours is with a permit. Snag a backcountry permit at one of the visitor centers at least one hour before closing.

NOTE: The park does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Times are in Mountain Standard Time year-round.

3. The park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Petrified Forest is one of the few National Parks that’s closed two days of the year – Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

No entry into the park will be allowed during these two holidays.

4. Removal of petrified wood is illegal.

Removing or relocating any natural or cultural objects from the park, including wood, fossils, rocks, animals, plants, and artifacts is illegal.

You will be fined a minimum of $325 for removal or damage to petrified wood or other natural or cultural artifacts and features.

If you’re caught stealing or tampering with the wood by another park visitor, prepare for a possible car search upon exiting the park.

5. This is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks in the USA.

dog waste station at dog-friendly petrified forest national park

Petrified Forest is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks in the USA! Dogs are allowed everywhere the public can go except inside buildings. This means, yes, they are welcome on all hiking trails!

Always clean up after your pet, keep them on a 6-foot (or shorter) leash, and don’t leave them unattended.

6. The frontcountry can be explored in a single day.

giant logs trail in petrified forest national park

If you don’t plan on diving into the backcountry or wilderness areas, you can explore Petrified Forest in one day. With one day in Petrified Forest, you’ll be able to drive the 28-mile scenic drive (with spur roads), stop at the viewpoints, and hike the frontcountry trails.