Explore Petrified Forest National Park.
Looking for the best resources to help plan your Petrified Forest National Park vacation?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
Hi, I’m Natalie, and I am a national parks-obsessed mom who has compiled all of the details, itineraries, dining guides, and hiking information for the perfect trip to a park that’s packed with colorful petrified wood, hiking in the Painted Desert, and was once part of historic Route 66.
Whether you need to know where to purchase gas in the park or how you should spend your time, you’ll find it here.
I only write about places I’ve been and experiences that I’ve had, so you’re getting up-to-date advice from a parent who has been there.
Petrified Forest at a glance
Covers 221,000 acres
Located mostly in Arizona on I-70
Best known for its fields of petrified wood
Near to Holbrook, Arizona
Has hiking trails and historical sites, too
Complete Itineraries
All you’ll need to do is book the plane tickets and hotel rooms.
These complete itineraries take care of the day to day planning for you with suggestions on hotels, dining, and activities for the entire family.
Each focuses on Petrified Forest National Park for at least a day of the overall journey.
Take a hike.
The best way to see Petrified Forest National Park is to get out of the car and onto a trail.
The hikes included in this kid-friendly guide are easy enough for just about any park visitor to do.
They showcase a wide range of geological features throughout the park. There’s so much more to this park than petrified trees (though those are pretty interesting)!
Camping
There’s only backcountry, permitted camping allowed in the national park, so if you’re looking to tent camp, car camp, stay in your RV, or glamp, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
We enjoyed our stay at the Holbrook KOA immensely. It’s close to the national park, Meteor Crater, and Winslow, Arizona. Plus, the campground is packed with amenities and is even big rig-friendly.
Petrified Forest Must Haves
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GuideAlong Audio Tour
We LOVE these inexpensive but excellent tours for our national parks visits. Purchase the Yellowstone National Park GuideAlong Audio Tour to learn about the park’s history, geology, wildlife, and important figures as you drive.
It doesn’t need wifi after you’ve downloaded the tour, and it starts and stops automatically as you approach areas of interest!
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Sun Protection
The desert sun here is no joke, and you need to come prepared no matter what time of year you’re visiting.
There’s no tree cover anywhere in the park, so every hike is completely exposed.
Be sure to pack sunscreen, a sun hat, and long sleeved sun shirt.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of water in your car, too.
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AllTrails + National Park Pass
Do not go to Yellowstone National Park without this incredible deal!
For just a few dollars more than the cost of a regular NPS annual pass, you can get an annual AllTrail subscription and your national parks pass bundle.
Now, you’re ready to hit the trail and explore the parks!
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Garmin InReach Mini
I never go hiking without this tiny GPS attached to my pack.
Since I’m often hiking alone with my kids, the Garmin InReach gives me peace of mind that we could get help quickly if one of them (or me!) got hurt or sick on the trail.
Yellowstone doesn’t always have great cell reception, but you can always reach help with this unit.
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Rental Car
There’s no public transportation within Yellowstone, and you’re going to want the flexibility of your own vehicle while exploring the park.
Check for the best rates at DiscoverCars.com with convenient pick-up options at all area airports.
If plans change, they also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before you were scheduled to get your car.
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Travel Insurance
Yellowstone is a trip of a lifetime, and you don’t want to let sickness or flight delays to ruin your trip.
Be sure to secure travel insurance from Visitors Coverage before you leave, and you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.
While you’re in the area…
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Historic Winslow, AZ, on Route 66: A Complete Guide
