What a cool park!…read more We have a lifetime parks pass, so it's been great to be able to explore when we can. We spent about 1/2 day here - drove to many of the overlooks for some very cool views. Followed someone recommendation to hike the Blue Mesa and truly felt like we were walking on the moon. Very cool colors and petrified logs lying around. It's about a mile; so quite a short hike but you are 'up close and personal' with nature. Take the time to walk thru the museum at the Inn (there's also clean restrooms here and an ice cream shop). They've done a great job preserving the original furniture and such. The parking lots at many of the stops had several spots for RV's and could accommodate towing as well. Clean restrooms thru out the park too A tip would be to hike in the morning as the afternoons can get pretty toasty and windy

I am a big fan of national parks and am also a big fan of keeping them fully budgeted and staffed…read more If you have ever been to a national park, you know that they get a ton of visitors from other countries. These foreign folks love our national parks for good reason. Americans should also appreciate them. Now, this is probably not one of the "must do" national parks. It is not a Yosemite or a Yellowstone. There is no camping here and much of the park is entirely experienced by driving around in your car. There are a few hiking spots, some better than others. There are two entrances and there is only one road between them. It is impossible to get lost, although there are a few turnoffs. You drive from one entrance to the other and then you are done. Apparently, some people drive through the park, never leave their car, and spend about an hour in total here. It seems crazy to me to visit a national park in one hour and I do not recommend it. Do one or more of the hikes. Get out and experience a few of the overlooks. The Blue Mesa portion of the park is incredible. That was probably the highlight of the park for me. The color of the hills is just surreal. It is like you landed on Mars. You will, of course, see petrified (or "fossilized") wood here. It is multi-colored beautiful stuff. The visitor center on the north end is much better than the one at the south end. There is a cafe at the north visitor center, better souvenirs, and also the Painted Desert Inn where you can experience a bit of history from about a 100 years ago. Spend some time here whether you are just entering the park or leaving it. I would plan on spending about three or four hours here, especially if you do at least one good hike and stop at most of the overlooks. If you did all the hikes and all the overlooks and bring a lunch (there are no picnic or lunch areas, by the way), you could probably spend the entire day here. Half a day, including one long hike, was fine for us and I feel like we saw all of the highlights. I hate to give any area of land less than 5 stars through no fault of its own but this is not one of the more spectacular national parks in the country. But if you are in the area, it is worth a visit.

The park itself was amazing! The equipment was new and sturdy. They even had mini zip lines!…read moreUnfortunately we had a rather unpleasant experience because our 13 year old broke his leg coming down one of the slides. Other than that, great park!

Nice little park. It's water sprayers in the summer and nice Ramadas. It's a fun free place .read more

Wow! First impression, we never felt this intense volume of quiet ever! You don't even hear the…read morewind blowing. The middle of nowhere! I mean really nowhere! Second impression - how could such a sophisticated culture live in such a desolate area? Yes, there is water nearby, but the vastness and isolation of it all is intriguing and astonishing. This vast 4k acre area is a preserve, research and archeological hub, of a more than 1,100 to 900-year-old Hopi civilization, and holds an overwhelming amount of specimens of Pueblo/Hopi debris, pottery and dwellings paraphernalia. At an estimated 4,900 feet above sea level, your 360° panoramic view of the surrounds and plateaus below to the far horizon are nothing but spectacular, miles and miles of nothing but desert. The small yet well-endowed and instructional little museum offers a great insight of what your surrounded by at Homolovi Ruins - and the staff are exceptionally nice folk. It is a terrific starter before going out on your own to encounter southwestern antiquity at its most natural. As a whole, this is a unique, intriguing and instructional excursion into the realm of the past when taken and that will never be forgotten.

A very remote ancient settlement and current campground. I think it's quite "spooky "'but some may…read morejust enjoy the historical nature of this spot unbothered by such "vibes" it certainly is quite

The Painted Desert is a badlands area in the northern part of Petrified Forest National Park. I…read morelove this beautiful part of the park. This colorful Chinle Formation consists of a variety of sedimentary rocks on cliffs, hills, mesas and buttes. Its pretty colors is why it is called the Painted Desert. The Painted Desert stretches all the way to the east end of Grand Canyon National Park. There are some overlooks off the main road that allow you to see an overview of the area. There are also some hiking trails. The map at the overlook gives you information on far away many of points of interest are. Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is nearby and has a lot of history to it. The original building from the early 1920's was made of petrified wood. Today it is a museum that showcases the history of the building, historic Route 66 that once passed through here and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Painted Desert Visitor Center is also nearby with park rangers on hand for information.

Painted Desert is the highlight of Petrified National Park besides the most famous Blue Mesa…read more There's couple viewpoints you can stop the car and get out take photos...but in order to get the full experience of the Painted Desert, you have to walk the 1.2 mile round trip Painted Desert Rim Trail! It's easy, short, with 49 ft elevation gain. The trail is out and back and ends at Painted Desert Inn (From Tawa Point to Kachina Points). Painted Desert Inn was closed due to covid otherwise from peak through the window there's few exhibitions. The outside restroom was still open to public (and with heater inside!) The Painted Desert was so beautiful the day I went when it's dusted with snow. The trail could be muddy and icy at some point but did not find its dangerous:P The rich colors and the rock formation all will take your breath away. - Dog is allowed on the trail with a leash.

I finally made it to this side of the Petrified Forest National Park…read more.. We missed entering by a half hour on November 22, 2025, but I still have big love for this area of Arizona. The colors of this desert remarkably rich and beautiful. If you plan on visiting, I encourage you to figure out which national park pass is for you and apply in advance - just keep it in your vehicle if you're the main driver: https://shop.usparkpass.com/ Get out. Walk around. Explore. Take only photos. Pack it in, pack it out. LNT - Leave No Trace.

My husband has been eager to visit this place since our move to Arizona, and it took us a few years…read moreto finally have the opportunity. Experiencing this place in person is truly special, as neither photographs nor videos can fully capture its remarkable beauty. It is a must-see destination, and dedicating a morning or afternoon allows for a comprehensive exploration of all it has to offer.

Don't believe everyone with blown out photos, making this place look garish - it's actually pretty…read morein real life. Ample parking that is included if you paid the park entrance fee of $25 per car or free if you use your National Park Pass. Visited in May 2023 and it wasn't too hot and there is a placard to read here. There is no shade so wear sunscreen and a hat. No bathroom facilities (that's at the visitor's center.) Visited May 2023

Wonderful little spot. Clear water, nice and peaceful. People seem to keep to themselves. No riff…read moreraff in

2 friends and I went to the this place having not much of an expectation. We are up in Flagstaff…read morefor school and wanted to get some sun in before we go back to school tomorrow. Jac had a great idea to come here for a lil sun day to go cliff jumping! k and I haven't been before, met a nice man who help film a video of us jumping from the underneath of the bridge. Bunch of people kayaking and paddling with dogs and kids! friendly area, would come back again! Remember to pick up after yourself, lots of trash which is sad. ;(

Well worth the very easy, leisure .8 mile walk. Beautiful views of petrified wood. Just a beautiful…read morejourney back into time.

This was my favorite trail when I visited Petrified Forest National Park. The Blue Mesa Trail is a…read morebeautiful scenic trail that is located in the center of the park. To get there, you take Blue Mesa Scenic Road eastbound from the main road. The road goes over the top of a mesa and turns into a loop. Along the way are scenic overlooks of the landscape, badlands and hoodoos. The trailhead is halfway around the loop and has a small parking lot. Blue Mesa Traill is a one mile loop trail that goes through hills of bluish bentonite clay. The trail itself is on a mixed paved and gravel path. You will occasionally see some petrified wood deposits scattered along the way. I found the hike pretty easy to do but very windy. The colors of the surrounding area is just beautiful. There are lots of blue, purple and gray stripes on the hills. Each layer represents the many years that have gone by. Blue Mesa Trail is a great spot for photographs because the blue sky in the background really brings out the colors in the hills. This is one of Petrified Forest's most popular hikes. So expect to see a decent amount of people on the trail.

Thank you Holbrook Kiwanis for providing such a nice dog park!…read more Regret THOSE that DON't picked up after their dog(s). Shame of "you" for ruining a nice service provided by a volunteer group

Easy stop, right off the highway. Green grass, trees, pretty. Connected to a picnic area. Not huge…read morebut a lovely brief rest and stretch.