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January 2024 by Ed T.
This review is for Historic Blue Forest Trail which was a ~2.4 miles round trip that took ~1.25 hours to complete. The entrance from US 180 has a gate that automatically opens after 8am; you won't be able to get in before that. Beautiful views throughout the hike with the snow! A few icy spots but do-able without microspikes. Extremely cold in the low ~15°F. The second half of the loop may be a little confusing; just make sure you have the AllTrails map. Parking is on the side of the road. Short video of the hike for those interested!
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January 2024 by Cat M.
Amazing! Such an underrated park and conveniently located by the highway. Definitely worth a stop if you have time. It took us about 1.5 hours to go from the Visitor Center through the whole park. We went on a holiday weekend and still found ample parking
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January 2024 by Ben A.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is an absolute gem that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. From the moment you enter the park, you are greeted with well-paved roads that make exploring this natural wonder a breeze, even with a trailer or large RV. The infrastructure is top-notch, ensuring a smooth and comfortable drive throughout the park. One of the standout features of Petrified Forest is, of course, the mesmerizing petrified wood scattered across the landscape. The sheer number and size of these ancient trees turned to stone are awe-inspiring. The park has a variety of trails that take you up close to these petrified wonders, allowing you to marvel at the intricate details and vibrant colors preserved in the wood over millions of years. The Blue Mesa Trail, in particular, provides a unique perspective as you descend into a colorful badlands area surrounded by petrified logs. The vistas in Petrified Forest National Park are nothing short of breathtaking. The panoramic views seem to stretch endlessly, showcasing the diverse landscapes within the park. The Painted Desert, with its vibrant hues of red, orange, and purple, is a true spectacle. As the sun sets, the colors intensify, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. Another highlight of the park is the abundance of wildflowers that bloom in season, adding a splash of color to the already stunning landscape. Springtime transforms the park into a floral paradise, with a vibrant carpet of flowers covering the desert floor. It's a photographer's dream, and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to witness the desert come to life in such a vibrant and delicate way. The park's well-maintained facilities, including visitor centers and informative exhibits, provide valuable insights into the geological and paleontological history of the area. Rangers are knowledgeable and passionate, enhancing the overall educational experience for visitors. Petrified Forest National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique and visually stunning adventure...particularly if you enjoy the desert Southwest. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, Petrified Forest National Park offers an unforgettable journey into the wonders of the natural world.
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July 2023 by Larcene Yazzie (Cene)
Food is delicious, park movie in the kitchen area due to renovations. Service was good also, a little wait but there was a lot of visitors. Atmosphere is very friendly.
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July 2023 by Ashley D.
Wow!! There are so many beautiful, historic and interesting things to see at this national park. This was our first time there and we had our 7 month old baby with us so some portions were a bit tough with the stroller so we'll definitely come back when she's older. I see how you could easily spend all day in this park walking the different trails and even seeing the sights at different times of the day! Apparently sunset / 7:30ish is a great time to see the rainbow effect of the striated rock mountain formations as well as the crystallization inside of the petrified wood logs. We started on the north end and left out the south - I would do it the opposite way next time. We did this in early July and since there are more of the walking trails on the south end, I would start there and then enjoy the AC of my car the rest of the way. Coming north to south we were a little exhausted by the end and then we had to get out into the sun and heat to see some of the 'big sights'. Also worth noting: the south entrance gift shop is way better than the north entrance gift shop. The movie room is large and in its own room room with ceiling fans going above while the northern one is located inside the little cafe and you basically have a bench to sit on right by the busy bathrooms. Also the selection of items within the southern gift shop is vast.. you have so many more shirts, cups and magnets to choose from! Wish we would have known because we would have spent the money there ins
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June 2023 by Bob K.
This is, quite simply a beautiful park to visit and enjoy. To us, this was a "see as much as you have time for" National Park, so we took advantage of itineraries on the National Park Website at:nps.gov/pefo/planyourvis…Plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the spectacular scenery but here's another must do ... walk the Blue Mesa and Giant Logs Trails.Best advice? DO NOT miss this spectacular National Park.
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June 2023 by Chance K.
It's not an amazing national park but unique for sure. You don't need more than a day to explore everything it has to offer. Make sure to check out the Painted Desert, Crystalized Trees and the 100 ft log bridge.
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June 2023 by RYU RYU
Souvenir shop.There are various things.The coin press is on the border with the restaurant.
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June 2023 by Alyssa A.
This was probably the most disappointing national park I have been to so far. I didn't really have many expectations going in, and it still managed to not meet them. The Petrified Forest drive itself was nice, but that's about where it stops. We started at the entrance with the visitor center, and we felt like many of the views were what you could see at the Grand Canyon, only not as magnificent. We stopped at Newspaper Rock, and you could vaguely see some of the petroglyphs from the vista point. I completely understand why you can't get super close, but I still felt like they left you so far away to really appreciate them.The Crystal Forest was cool. A bunch of crystallized logs that you get to walk through. But once you see one, they're all pretty much the same. Which was pretty much the gist of this park.I feel like for a park that's been a national park since 1962, it would've been more developed and involved. It felt more like a highway with occasional stops on the side of the road than a national park. If you're a huge fan of these crystallized trees, then this stop is perfect for you. Otherwise, you'd be better off enjoying the Grand Canyon and skipping this park. Unless you, like us, want to see all 63. If that's the case, just be prepared for a less impressive park.
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June 2023 by צדיקה ישראל
⛽️ Quaint, expensive, but necessary gas station servers it purpose.
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May 2023 by PJ C.
The last of our national park and national monument visits on this trip. We were not sure if this park would be worth the extra effort to drive out this far. We entered the park from the south end since we stayed in Holbrook.We started with a short hike around some colorful samples of petrified wood and then watched a very good movie explaining how these logs were created and ended up here. We headed north and stopped and hiked a number of short paved paths to observe the forest remains.As we got to the north part of the park it transitioned to the Painted Desert. There are some nice overlooks of this colorful but muted landscape. We then stopped at the historic Painted Desert Inn which was very nice. There are some tables here that would be good for picnicking or at the nearby visitor center (both are nicer than the designated picnic area). This park is definitely more interesting than we expected.
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April 2023 by Jamie M.
Beautiful!!! A must see if you are traveling through the area. Lots to see! Petroglyphs, mesas, petrified wood, agates, wild life!! Just Go!!
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March 2023 by Karson Wilson
Extremely disappointed in the gift shop Northern end gift shop. The gift shop at the South Entrance was not only cheaper, but it had much more to choose from. The south end also had a 30% off sale that the north end did not recognize.Christmas ornaments are around $15, post cards are $1 a pop. The south end had sandstone book ends but the north end did not.None of the water fountains worked which we found disappointing.Overall, honestly, if you’re driving the length of the park go to the sound end gift shop!
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January 2023 by Catherine W.
Fabulous geological park. Loved it all! So happy to see it. Took us about 3 hours and we entered the park at 8:00. Go to the restroom before you enter as there were only 2 as I recall.
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December 2022 by VeeVee N.
The Petrified Forest is a vast, otherworldly landscape filled with towering rock formations and ancient petrified trees. As we drove through the park, we were struck by the sheer beauty and majesty of the place. The colors of the rock formations were stunning, ranging from deep reds and purples to pale yellows and greens.One of the highlights of the drive was the Painted Desert, a stunning stretch of rocky terrain that is home to some of the most colorful and vibrant rock formations in the park. We pulled over at several viewpoints along the way to take in the breathtaking views, and we were constantly amazed by the beauty that surrounded us.
