Physical Address:

Exit 311

Interstate 40

Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Mailing Address:

Petrified Forest National Park

P.O. Box 2217

Petrified Forest, AZ 86028-2217

contact-details

  • Phone Number: 9285246228 Voice

  • Phone Number: 9285243567 Fax

  • Email Address: PEFO_information@nps.gov

  • Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees
  • Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25.00
  • Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.

  • Entrance - Per Person: $15.00
  • Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.

  • Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.00
  • Admits one or two passengers on a single private, non-commercial motorcycle. Valid for 7 days.

  • 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: $50.00
  • Capacity 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: $60.00
  • Capacity 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: $150.00
  • Capacity 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: $15.00
  • Capacity 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.

Entrance Passes
  • Annual Entrance - Park: $45.00
  • Come here often? Consider purchasing an annual pass. The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue.


Park Hours: 8am to 5pm, MST. Don't forget that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. Petrified Forest is best known for its Triassic fossils. It's like having two parks in one, an ecosystem over 200 million years old with plants and animals now represented in the surreal landscape of the Painted Desert. There is also a living park with its own denizens adapted to a demanding environment.

park designation:National Park

Directions:

Petrified Forest stretches north/south between I-40 and Hwy 180. There are two entrances into the park.*** ***WESTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 311, drive 28 miles through the park to Hwy 180 at the south end. Travel 19 miles to return to I-40 via Holbrook.*** ***EASTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 to the park's south entrance. Drive 28 miles north through the park to return to I-40.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions


Operating Hours:

Park Road Hours

Park Road hours of operation, may change due to staffing, weather, or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Exceptions:
  • Park Closed Christmas. (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)
  • Park Closed Thanksgiving. (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Weather Information:

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.


Activities
Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture

Cultural Demonstrations
Cultural Demonstrations

Auto and ATV
Auto and ATV

Scenic Driving
Scenic Driving

Astronomy
Astronomy

Stargazing
Stargazing

Biking
Biking

Road Biking
Road Biking

Camping
Camping

Backcountry Camping
Backcountry Camping

Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)

Compass and GPS
Compass and GPS

Geocaching
Geocaching

Orienteering
Orienteering

Food
Food

Dining
Dining

Picnicking
Picnicking

Guided Tours
Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Self-Guided Tours - Auto
Self-Guided Tours - Auto

Hands-On
Hands-On

Citizen Science
Citizen Science

Hiking
Hiking

Backcountry Hiking
Backcountry Hiking

Front-Country Hiking
Front-Country Hiking

Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
Off-Trail Permitted Hiking

Horse Trekking
Horse Trekking

Horse Camping (see also camping)
Horse Camping (see also camping)

Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding

Junior Ranger Program
Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching
Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching
Birdwatching

Park Film
Park Film

Museum Exhibits
Museum Exhibits

Shopping
Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store
Bookstore and Park Store

Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Gift Shop and Souvenirs