Camping Near Petrified Forest National Park
Arizona | Established 1962
About Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park protects 221,390 acres of Triassic-era petrified wood, Painted Desert badlands, and shortgrass prairie in northeastern Arizona. The park has no developed campgrounds. Backcountry camping is permitted in the wilderness area with a free permit obtained at the visitor center before 4 PM on the day of your hike. Campers must hike at least one mile from any road, trailhead, or parking area and camp out of sight of all roads.
For developed camping, Holbrook is the nearest town (26 miles east) with several private campgrounds including Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA Journey (full hookups, $45-75/night) and OK RV Park ($30-45/night). The 28-mile park road connects the Painted Desert Visitor Center on I-40 to the Rainbow Forest Museum on US-180, passing through petrified log concentrations, Painted Desert overlooks, petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock, and remnants of historic Route 66. The park is open only during daylight hours; no overnight vehicle parking is allowed.
Camping Tips for Petrified Forest
- No developed campgrounds exist inside the park. Backcountry camping requires a free permit from a visitor center before 4 PM. You must hike at least one mile from any road and camp out of sight of all roads.
- The park closes at dark and reopens at dawn. No overnight vehicle parking is allowed. Plan backcountry trips carefully around daylight hours and carry a headlamp.
- For RV camping, Holbrook (26 miles east on I-40) offers the KOA Journey (full hookups, $45-75/night) and OK RV Park ($30-45/night). No hookups or services exist inside the park.
- Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day for backcountry camping. No water sources exist in the wilderness area. Summer temperatures exceed 100 degrees and dehydration risk is high.
- Removing petrified wood or any natural object is a federal crime with fines up to $500 for first offenses. Rangers inspect vehicles. Purchase petrified wood legally at shops in Holbrook or along I-40.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Petrified Forest National Park
41.Sundown Ranch R.V and Camping
Sundown Ranch R.V and Camping is a welcoming campground located in Heber-Overgaard, Arizona, offering a peaceful retreat in the scenic high country. The facility accommodates both...
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42.Fairgrounds RV Park
Fairgrounds RV Park is a convenient RV destination located in St Johns, Arizona. The park provides a welcoming base for travelers exploring the area, with full hookup sites...
Show moreShowing 41–42 of 42 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp inside Petrified Forest National Park?
Only backcountry camping is allowed. There are no developed campgrounds, hookups, or facilities. A free permit must be obtained from a visitor center before 4 PM on your hiking day. You must hike at least one mile from any road and camp out of sight.
The backcountry permit is free and can be picked up at the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Rangers provide orientation on leave-no-trace practices and water requirements. Fires are prohibited; camp stoves only. Pack out all trash. The park's wilderness area covers over 50,000 acres of rolling grassland and badlands. Maximum group size is eight people. Permits are valid for one night only.
Where is the nearest developed camping outside the park?
Holbrook, 26 miles east on I-40, has multiple campgrounds: KOA Journey (full hookups, $45-75/night), OK RV Park ($30-45/night), and several other RV parks. Sun Valley (15 miles east) has basic services. No developed camping exists within the park.
The KOA Journey in Holbrook offers pull-through sites for large RVs, a pool, and laundry. OK RV Park provides budget-friendly full hookup sites. Holbrook also has grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants. For free camping, BLM land and national forest dispersed camping areas exist within an hour's drive. Crystal Forest RV Park near the park's south entrance offers basic services.
What are the park hours and can I stay overnight in my vehicle?
The park is open only during daylight hours, roughly 7 AM to 6 PM depending on season. Gates are locked at closing. No overnight vehicle parking is allowed anywhere in the park. All vehicles must exit before closing time or face a citation.
Park hours vary seasonally: approximately 8 AM to 5 PM in winter and 7 AM to 7 PM in summer. Check the park website for exact hours on your visit date. The 28-mile park road takes about 45 minutes to drive without stops and two to three hours with stops at major sites. Plan your visit to allow time to exit before gates close. Backcountry campers must leave their vehicles at designated trailheads before closing.
Is it illegal to take petrified wood from the park?
Yes, removing any natural or cultural object from the park is a federal crime under the Antiquities Act. This includes petrified wood, fossils, rocks, plants, and artifacts. Fines start at $325 for first offenses and can reach $5,000. Rangers conduct random vehicle inspections.
The park loses an estimated 12 tons of petrified wood to theft each year. The Conscience Pile at the Rainbow Forest Museum contains petrified wood mailed back by visitors who felt guilty after taking pieces. Legally purchased petrified wood is available at shops in Holbrook and along I-40 outside the park. Possession of park resources is a violation even if you claim you found it outside the boundary.
Can I bring my dog to Petrified Forest?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are welcome on all paved trails, roads, parking areas, and at overlooks throughout the park. Petrified Forest allows pets on more surfaces than most national parks. Dogs are prohibited in the backcountry wilderness area and inside buildings.
Paved trails where dogs are allowed include the Giant Logs Trail (0.4 miles), Crystal Forest Trail (0.75 miles), Long Logs Trail (1.6 miles), and Painted Desert Rim Trail (1 mile). The park has no water fountains for dogs; bring water. Summer pavement temperatures can burn paw pads. The park offers a BARK Ranger program where dogs can earn a special tag. Dogs cannot enter the wilderness area, which means no backcountry camping with pets.
What are the best sites to see along the park road?
The 28-mile park road highlights include Painted Desert overlooks (north), Newspaper Rock petroglyphs, Blue Mesa badlands trail (1 mile loop), Crystal Forest (0.75-mile trail with dense petrified log concentrations), and Giant Logs Trail (0.4 miles) near the Rainbow Forest Museum.
Starting from the north (I-40 entrance), the Painted Desert Visitor Center provides orientation. Eight overlooks along the Painted Desert section offer colorful badland views. The Puerco Pueblo ruins show a 100-room ancestral Puebloan village. Newspaper Rock displays over 650 petroglyphs visible from an overlook. Blue Mesa trail descends into colorful badlands. Crystal Forest and Giant Logs contain the densest concentrations of petrified wood. Allow two to three hours minimum for the full drive with stops.
What is the entrance fee for Petrified Forest?
The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. Motorcycles cost $20 and individual entry on foot or bicycle is $15. An annual Petrified Forest pass costs $45. The America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers all federal recreation sites.
Entrance stations are located at both ends of the park road: the north entrance off I-40 and the south entrance off US-180. Fees are collected at whichever entrance you use. Eight fee-free days occur annually. The park pass does not cover backcountry camping permits (which are free). No additional fees apply for any trails or exhibits within the park.
When is the best time to visit Petrified Forest?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer ideal temperatures in the 60s to 80s with clear skies. Summer highs exceed 100 degrees. Winter brings temperatures in the 30s to 50s with occasional snow that creates dramatic contrast against the colorful formations.
The park sits at 5,340 to 6,230 feet elevation, moderating temperatures compared to lower Arizona deserts. Spring wildflowers bloom in wet years. Fall brings golden grasses and comfortable hiking weather. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common and can produce flash flooding in washes. Winter is the quietest season with minimal crowds. The Painted Desert colors are most vivid in early morning and late afternoon light regardless of season.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $25/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- March – May, September – November
- Nearest Town
- Holbrook, AZ, Sun Valley, AZ, Sanders, AZ
- Elevation
- 5,340 – 6,230 ft
- Park Size
- 221,390 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.1 million