What to do at Petrified Forest National Park with Kids
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Jimmy and the kids enjoying a break from walking at “old Faithful” on Giant Logs Trail
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we were only able to visit the painted desert visitor center as the Rainbow forest visitor center was still closed due to covid19
If you’re looking for what to do at Petrified Forest National Park with kids, you’re in the right place. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you’ll love going back to the Triassic period at Petrified Forest National Park. This National Park was established in December 1962 under John F Kennedy. Petrified Forest National Park is visited by approximately 800,000 people annually and is about is 221,390 acres. It is the 31st largest National Park of the 62 in the United States.
Every visitor to Petrified Forest National Park should make a stop at one of the two Visitor Centers to get a park map, get a weather update and info about the park’s road conditions and possible closures. You can also click HERE to see up-to-date hours. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding out the parks more off the beaten path spots. Inside the Painted Desert Visitor Center, you will find visitor information, be able to purchase backcountry permits, watch a free 18 minute orientation film, shop at the bookstore and gift shop. You will also find a gas station, restrooms, picnic pavilion and there is a restaurant. The Rainbow Forest Museum is at the south end of the National Park and also provides backcountry permits, visitor information, a free 18 minute orientation video, restrooms, a small gift shop, but they also have several paleontological exhibits complete with skeleton displays of prehistoric animals.
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When to Visit Petrified Forest National Park
Like most National Parks, Petrified Forest is busiest in the summer months. The summer months are also the hottest and have the greatest chance of inclement weather since it’s monsoon season July through September.
The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is in the spring or early fall. There are fewer crowds, the temperatures are milder and the chance for rain is much lower. The wildflowers are in bloom from March through October, so visiting in March-April or September-October would be the most ideal.
We visited in mid-June and had no rain and mild temperatures (mid-70s) with extremely high wind.
The average annual weather for reference courtesty of Weather-us.com
How to get to Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is really cool and it’s very convenient to get to if you’re already traveling along I-40 through New Mexico and Arizona. The highway cuts directly through the park. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get to the park, here are a few examples.
Obligatory national park sign photo!
How far is Petrified Forest National Park from Albuquerque? 3 hours and 40 minutes
Holbrook to Petrified Forest National park is 19 minutes
Saguaro National Park to Petrified Forest National Park is 4 hours 45 minutes
Grand Canyon National Park to Petrified Forest National Park is 3 hours 25 minutes
Flagstaff to Petrified Forest National Park is 1 hour and 45 minutes
Petrified Forest National Park is easiest accessed from Holbrook, AZ or the next big city is Albuquerque, NM.
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Where to Stay in Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park Camping:
Backcountry Camping in Petrified Forest National Park:
The only camping available in Petrified Forest National Park is backcountry camping. There are no amenities. No water, no restrooms, no electricity. Campers must hike at least 1 mile away from the 2 designated parking lots before setting up camp. To read all of the details about Camping in Petrified Forest National Park HERE.
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The volume of petrified wood at Giant logs trail is amazing
Where to Stay Outside of Petrified Forest National Park
We stayed at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham - comfy beds & a good location - nothing fancy, but a great price
Holbrook, Arizona
Recommended Camp Grounds:
Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA: The KOA is located only 20 minutes from Petrified Forest National Park. They offer RV and tent sites plus have cabin rentals! With a large rec room, covered outside patios, and a pool, your family will love reconnecting over a campfire at KOA! In addition to Petrified Forest, take the family on a day trip to the Grand Canyon (2.5 hours) or Canyon de Chelly National Monument (1.5+ hours). Walk around the rim of Meteor Crater, less than an hour west. In Holbrook, drive through town on the original Route 66 (don't miss the Wigwam Motel). Check out the museum of Historic Route 66 and The Hashknife Outfit – one of the west's largest cattle ranches. Once you’re back from exploring, enjoy the on site amenities including a pool, wifi and a snack bar!
Big Spin Ranch: This spot is absolutely perfect for self contained RV/Campers and tent campers. Beautiful dispersed camping on 18 acres of raw land overlooking the Painted Desert. Quiet, peaceful, secluded. Cars rarely come down this road, so you're likely to see more cows than people. The site is in a great central location. 11 miles to the Petrified Forest entrance off the I-40 and 15 miles to Holbrook for supplies, great eateries and just a good old Route 66 town vibe!
Hotels in Holbrook: Use the map below to find a hotel in Holbrook based on your family’s budget and need!
We stayed at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham and had a good experience. The room was clean and beds were comfortable. I loved that our cars were right outside. They offer a small continental breakfast and have good wi-fi. We ordered pizza and they delivered it to our room; a huge perk with tired little kids. The price is amazing.
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What to do in Petrified Forest National Park with Kids
1) Hike:
The best way to explore Petrfified National Park is by foot. There are many amazing designated trails and the opportunity to free hike in many places in the park.
***Per the National Park Service & common courtesy: “Please leave the petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff.”
Best Hikes for Toddlers in Petrified Forest National Park
We did a couple of hikes; this one is Crystal Forest
Giant Logs Trail: This easy .4 mile trail is paved but has a few sets of stairs and is not fully accessible for people using wheelchairs and strollers. Hikers are rewarded with some of the most colorful petrified logs in the park. Don’t miss “Old Faithful” - a log with base of over 10 feet wide!
Crystal Forest Trail: This easy .75 mile loop is perfect for families and young kids to experience a large deposit of petrified wood. Hikers will see the presence of beautiful crystals that can be found in the petrified logs. Please stay on the trail This trail is accessible.
Puerco Pueblo: This short and easy 0.3 mile paved path is packed with history. Hikers will walk amoung the remains of one of the 100 room pueblos. These pueblos were occupied by Puebloan people over 600 years ago! There are also petroglyphs on this trail.
Painted Desert Rim Trail: This 1 mile round trip trail takes hikers down an unpaved trail through the rim woodland. This trail offers spectacular views of the Painted Desert.
Blue Mesa: This easy 1 mile loop takes hikers through badland hills of bluish bentonite clay as well as petrified wood. This trail has a steep grade at the beginning, but then levels off.
Best Hikes for Kids in Petrified Forest National Park:
Blue Forest Trail take you out into the blue mesa
Long Logs and Agate House Trails can be combined for a total of 2.6 miles (4.2 km) round trip.
Long Logs Trail: This 1.6 mile trail takes hikers along one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood inside of the park. This ancient log jam is located at the base of grey badlands.
Agate House: This 2 mile round trip trail takes hikers down to the Agate House. This pueblo is believed to have been occupied about 700 years ago. It is an eight room home.
Best Hikes for Teenagers in Petrified Forest National Park:
For Adults and Teenagers looking for more exciting hiking, I suggest heading into the backcountry. Designated Wilderness Areas are protected and valued for their untrammeled, natural, undeveloped, and secluded qualities. The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area was one of the first to receive this designation in the National Park System.
To read the rules and find the maps for backcountry hiking in Petrified National Park and the Painted Desert, click HERE.
The trail through Crystal Forest is amazingly diverse!
2) Attend a Cultural Demonstration
I loved spotting different colors and ages of the petrified wood
Petrified Forest National Park’s Cultural Demonstration program gives local natives and artisans a chance to share their historical connections to the region. The Demonstrations happen throughout the year at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
This program keeps the local culture and history alive and is highly recommended for park visitors.
3) Become a Petrified Forest National Park Junior Ranger:
Petrified Forest National Park Junior Ranger program helps children better understand the ancient environment of the Late Triassic; when the petrified trees were alive and giant reptiles roamed the land. Once a child has completed the Junior Ranger Booklet, they return it to a Visitor Center to receive their very own Badge!
You can download a Junior Ranger Booklet HERE or visit either of the 2 Petrified Forest Park Visitor Centers to pick one up!
Learn more about the Petrified Forest National Park Junior Ranger program HERE.
Petrified forest is like taking a trip back to prehistoric life. It’s unbelievable that these are from the Triassic period
4) Geocaching
Petrified Forest National Park has developed and placed geocaches all around the park. Geocaching is where players locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and share their experiences. Once a visitor finds the geocache, sign the log inside and hide the cache back where you found it and log your visit online.
Find out more about geocaching in Petrified Forest National Park HERE.
**Please note that the placement of unauthorized caches on lands managed by the National Park Service and other agencies remains generally prohibited, i.e. don’t create your own.
The kids explored so much of these triassic beauties
5) Take a Scenic Drive:
There are so many overlooks along the drive in petrified forest - be sure to stop and take in the painted desert
Petrified Forest National Park has an amazing 28 mile road that takes visitors from the Painted Desert to Badlands to large deposits of Petrified wood. Along the journey, riders and drivers will be able to stop at one of the many overlooks to enjoy the views and wayside exhibits, Route 66, the painted desert, Newspaper Rock, and Jasper Forest. Don’t forget to drive the Blue Mesa loop to experience views of colorful badlands.
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One of the many logs at Giant logs trail
Most of the petrified wood is in the southern part of the park
6) Ride Horseback in Petrified Forest National Park:
Explore Petrified Forest National Park on Horseback! Visitors are allowed to bring their own horses into the park for a unique experience of backcountry riding through the Painted Forest. For full details and rules about horseback riding in Petrified Forest National Park, click HERE.
This is a terrible photo, i admit — but we saw so many really cool lizards along the trails
Petrified Forest National Park is the perfect destination for families. There is so much amazing wildlife, wildflowers, vastly different landscapes and so much petrified wood! No matter whether you try out backcountry camping or stay in nearby Holbrook, Arizona, Petrified National Park is an unforgettable adventure. If you’re hanging in Arizona, check out these 10 Best Family Vacation Spots in Arizona.
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