National Park · AZ
Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest is quietest in January and February and busiest in June.
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.
465K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Petrified Forest
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 | Overcast | 67°F | 46°F | 21% |
| Mon 19 | Light rain | 69°F | 47°F | 19% |
| Tue 20 | Light drizzle | 72°F | 49°F | 10% |
| Wed 21 | Rain showers | 75°F | 60°F | 75% |
| Thu 22 | Rain showers | 72°F | 56°F | 91% |
| Fri 23 | Overcast | 64°F | 53°F | 25% |
| Sat 24 | Clear | 68°F | 52°F | 6% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F | 22°F | 0.9" |
| February | 53°F | 25°F | 0.7" |
| March | 61°F | 30°F | 0.7" |
| April | 68°F | 35°F | 0.4" |
| May | 78°F | 44°F | 0.5" |
| June | 89°F | 53°F | 0.3" |
| July | 92°F | 60°F | 1.4" |
| August | 88°F | 58°F | 1.7" |
| September | 82°F | 51°F | 1.1" |
| October | 71°F | 40°F | 1.0" |
| November | 58°F | 28°F | 0.6" |
| December | 47°F | 22°F | 0.8" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- $25 — Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.
- Hours
- Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
Park Headquarters Phones are Down
Phones at park headquarters are currently down. Please call the visitor center at Painted Desert Inn 928-235-2467 or the Visitor Services office 928-235-2391 between 8 am and 5 pm. You can also send us an email at pefo_information@nps.gov.
- Information
The Painted Desert Oasis Gift Shop, Gas Station and Restaurant are Open!
The Painted Desert Oasis gift shop, gas station and restaurant located at the north entrance of the park are open, and restrooms are available during construction. Visitor center operations are currently located at the Painted Desert Inn, two miles past the entrance station.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Petrified Forest questions
When is the best time to visit Petrified Forest?
Petrified Forest is least crowded in January, February, and November. June is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Petrified Forest?
Entrance to Petrified Forest costs $25 (Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.).
When is Petrified Forest busiest?
Petrified Forest is busiest in June, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Petrified Forest during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Petrified Forest. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.