Northeastern Arizona holds a secret that most people only discover once — and never forget. The park features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, and also includes the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, archaeological sites, and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils across 93,533 acres.

The petrified wood here was once a living forest — giant trees that fell, were buried under sediment, and over millions of years had their organic material slowly replaced mineral by mineral with silica, creating the jewel-colored logs scattered across the desert floor today. Seeing them in person for the first time is genuinely startling. They look like something placed there by hand.

The Scenic Drive

The park has a north and south entrance with about 30 miles in between the two. Visitors from the north take Exit 311 on Interstate 40; the south entrance is reached from State Highway 180. The main scenic drive is 28 miles long and takes about 1.5 to 3 hours with stops. Don't rush it. The overlooks along the Painted Desert rim in the northern section and the petrified wood fields in the south reward anyone who gets out of the car.

The Painted Desert

The northern section of the park encompasses part of the Painted Desert — a surreal landscape of banded badlands in shades of red, orange, pink, purple, and gray that shift dramatically with the angle of the sun. The golden light of the fading sun really makes the colors spring to life — if you're visiting during a time when it's possible, staying near the Painted Desert until sunset is worth planning for. Stop at the Painted Desert Inn, a National Historic Landmark, for history and trail access.

Key Trails

The Crystal Forest trailhead is the standout petrified wood hike in the park. At the southern end, two trails leave from the Rainbow Forest Museum: Giant Logs, a 0.5-mile loop through massive petrified logs; and Long Logs and Agate House, a 2.1-mile loop that passes impressive colored logs and a reconstructed Pueblo house actually constructed out of petrified wood.

For those wanting to get off the pavement, the backcountry offers guided ranger hikes to boulders covered in petroglyphs, geology-rich badlands, and panoramic high-ridge viewpoints — ranging from easy to strenuous. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit — there are no developed campgrounds in the park. Pick up the permit at a visitor center.

One Critical Rule

Removal of petrified wood or other natural and cultural artifacts found in the park is prohibited by law. This comes up because visitors have been tempted for over a century — and the park has lost an estimated 12 tons of petrified wood to theft every year. Some visitors who took pieces have mailed them back years later, reporting they brought bad luck. The park has a display case full of returned pieces and letters. Leave everything where you find it.

Practical Notes

The park is open all year except Christmas Day. Hours vary seasonally — typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though extended in summer. Entrance fees: vehicle $20 / motorcycle $15 / per person on foot or bike $10. Annual park pass $40. America the Beautiful pass accepted. Nearest lodging is in Holbrook, approximately 20 minutes west.

More Information

• No developed campgrounds — backcountry camping with free permit only; pick up at visitor center

• Pets allowed on trails but must be leashed at all times

• Entrance fee required — America the Beautiful pass accepted

• Painted Desert Inn is a National Historic Landmark — worth a stop

• Do not remove petrified wood or any artifacts — federal law, significant fines

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