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Petrified Forest · May
May is the busiest time to visit Petrified Forest — busier than April, about as busy as June.
Expect peak crowds (10/10), highs near 78°F, and about 14 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
The park's busiest time. Reservations, early starts, and patience recommended.
About 92% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
May draws about 12% of Petrified Forest’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US
What's open
Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
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.
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
Context
Alternatives
FAQ
May rates 10/10 for crowds (Peak) at Petrified Forest National Park — about 92% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 54,847.
In May, Petrified Forest averages a high of 78°F and a low of 44°F, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation.
Entrance to Petrified Forest costs $25 (Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.).
Petrified Forest is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
In mid-May, Petrified Forest gets about 14 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:15 AM and sunset around 7:16 PM.