Petrified Forest National Park Visitors

Stone trees in a vivid Painted Desert.

Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is a remarkable landscape famous for its extensive deposits of fossilized wood and the strikingly colorful badlands of the Painted Desert. Visitors are immersed in breathtaking scenic views, where ancient trees have been transformed into vibrant, rainbow-hued stone, scattered across an arid high-desert plateau. The park's unique geology offers countless photographic opportunities, from close-ups of crystalized wood and fossilized plants to sweeping panoramas of stratified hills and mesas that glow with shades of red, orange, and purple, particularly at sunrise or sunset. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore this otherworldly terrain through a variety of activities, including numerous short interpretive trails like the Giant Logs and Crystal Forest, longer backcountry hikes into designated wilderness areas, or simply enjoying the scenic 28-mile main road which provides access to multiple overlooks and trailheads, all under incredibly dark skies perfect for stargazing.

Data Source: National Park Service Stats