Petrified Forest is a park you can see in half a day, and I'd argue it's better for it. A single 28-mile road runs from I-40 at the north end to US 180 at the south, past painted badlands, petroglyph sites, and some of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The logs are rainbow-colored quartz, about 200 million years old, and they lie in the open, at the base of eroded hills.
There are also a few surprises: a stretch of old Route 66, a historic inn from the highway's golden age, and a landscape that shifts from red and lavender badlands to grassland. I'd treat it as a scenic drive with a series of short walks, and I'd end the day in Holbrook, about 26 miles away.
If You Only Have 1 Day: The 28-Mile Drive
If I only had one day, I'd do the whole road from north to south, with a half-dozen short walks and a picnic. That's the best of the park.
Painted Desert Rim overlooks — the colorful start
A series of pullouts at the north end of the park with long views across striped hills of pink, lavender, and red. The light is best in the morning and the late afternoon, when the colors deepen. The Painted Desert Inn nearby, a historic Route 66 building, is worth a quick visit.
Blue Mesa Trail — the best short hike
A loop that drops into a landscape of blue, gray, and purple badlands, with petrified logs scattered along the way. It's the most dramatic short walk in the park, and the trail is steep in places, so I'd take it slowly.
Crystal Forest Trail — the quartz logs
A paved loop through the densest concentration of colorful petrified logs, with the quartz crystals visible in the broken pieces. It's an easy, scenic walk, and the best way to see the wood up close.
Puerco Pueblo, a short loop with petroglyphs and the ruins of a roughly 700-year-old village, is a quiet stop on the north side of the road. Newspaper Rock, a bit farther south, has hundreds of petroglyphs you view through a telescope from an overlook.
Got a 2nd Day? The South End and the Wilderness
With a second day I'd focus on the southern end, where the largest logs are, and I'd try a short walk away from the road.
Giant Logs Trail — the biggest wood
A short loop behind the Rainbow Forest Museum with some of the largest petrified logs in the park, including one named Old Faithful. It's a good, easy way to end a day of driving, and the museum next door is a good stop.
Long Logs Trail — the field of wood
A longer loop through a field of broken logs, with quieter surroundings than the shorter trails. A good option if you want to stretch your legs.
Agate House Trail — the pueblo made of wood
A walk to a partially reconstructed pueblo built from petrified wood about 900 years ago. It's one of the few places in the world where you can see a house made from the stuff.
The Full 3 Days — Route 66 and the Surroundings
With a third day I'd lean into the Route 66 side of the trip, which is surprisingly charming.
Route 66 Alignment — the old road
A marker and a row of old telephone poles show where Route 66 once cut across the park. It's the only national park with a section of historic Route 66, and a short stop gives a sense of the era.
Painted Desert Inn — the historic stop
A National Historic Landmark that served as a roadside inn on Route 66, with murals by Fred Kabotie and a small museum. It's a quiet, atmospheric place to stop.
Wigwam Motel and downtown Holbrook — the roadside stop
Holbrook is a classic Route 66 town with a main street of old signs and the Wigwam Motel, where you can stay in a concrete teepee. It's a fun finish to a day in the park.
Where I'd Eat
Food in the park is very limited, so I'd plan meals in Holbrook or Winslow, which both have good Route 66 character.
Joe & Aggie's Cafe
A classic Route 66 café in Holbrook, known for hearty Tex-Mex in a retro setting.
View on Google Maps ↗Butterfield Stage Co. Steak House
A Western-themed steakhouse in Holbrook with generous steaks. A good dinner after a day in the park.
View on Google Maps ↗Mesa Italiana Restaurant
A longtime Italian restaurant in Holbrook with a big menu and a local following.
View on Google Maps ↗The Turquoise Room at La Posada
A well-known restaurant in the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow, with Southwestern cuisine. The splurge.
View on Google Maps ↗Painted Desert Visitor Center snack bar
A small snack stand and convenience store inside the park, with limited hours, so I'd call ahead.
View on Google Maps ↗Where I'd Stay
There's no lodging in the park, so I'd base myself in Holbrook, about 26 miles away, or Winslow farther west.
Wigwam Motel
A 1950s Route 66 icon with 15 concrete teepees and vintage cars out front. It sells out quickly, so book directly and book early.
View on Google Maps ↗Brad's Desert Inn
A simple Route 66-themed motel in Holbrook with murals and parking right outside the door.
View on Google Maps ↗La Posada Hotel
A restored Harvey House hotel in Winslow with a garden, a restaurant, and Route 66 history, about an hour from the park.
View on Google Maps ↗Build This Exact Trip, Free
I built ParkPlan because I wanted this kind of plan for every park, not just the one I happened to write up. It turns this into a real day-by-day itinerary with your own dates, travelers, and budget.
Start My Petrified Forest Trip → Or see full park details first at parkplan.org/?park=petrified-forestNearby Parks to Pair With Petrified Forest
Building a longer road trip? These guides sit within a day's drive of this one.
Hours, services, and Route 66 centennial events change from year to year — always confirm current conditions, road status, and reservation rules at nps.gov/pefo before you go.