Petrified Forest National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
About Petrified Forest National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood. Spanning more than 200 million years of geologic history, the park protects ancient fossils, ancestral Puebloan sites, habitat for desert animals, and a sweeping stretch of historic Route 66.
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Driving times from Petrified Forest National Park, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans) If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
$10.00$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans) If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$50.00Capacity of 7 to 15 passengers - $50 (Vans). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$60.00Capacity of 16-25 passengers - $60 If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$150.00Capacity of 26+ passengers - $150 (Large tour buses, motorcoaches). If you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00Capacity of 16 or more $15/person. Anyone that is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee, in addition to anyone with a valid pass. A pass may cover immediate family members or up to 4 people traveling with the group. A non-commercial organized group is a group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, or other group that has organized its own itinerary. Fees are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.
Hours
Park Road Hours
- Mon
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Tue
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Wed
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Thu
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Fri
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sat
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- Sun
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Activities
Getting there
Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often dramatic summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Petrified Forest National Park?
- Entrance to Petrified Forest National Park starts at $10. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Petrified Forest National Park?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Petrified Forest National Park?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (1 h 27 min), Walnut Canyon National Monument (2 h 5 min), El Morro National Monument (2 h 19 min), Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (2 h 27 min), Wupatki National Monument (2 h 44 min), Montezuma Castle National Monument (2 h 50 min).