Getting Around Petrified Forest: Scenic Drive, Entrances, and Parking
Personal car or mandatory shuttle? At Petrified Forest, the answer is simple: you drive yourself. A 28-mile paved scenic drive runs through the park from north to south and is open to all standard vehicles. There is no public shuttle here.
How to Get to Petrified Forest
Petrified Forest sits in northeastern Arizona along I-40. For directions from Phoenix or Albuquerque, the closest airports, and transportation options, you'll find everything in the Getting to Petrified Forest guide.
Park Entrances and Which One to Choose
Petrified Forest has two entrances, one at each end of the scenic drive.
North Entrance (I-40, Exit 311): This leads to the Painted Desert Visitor Center, the first building you'll reach from the highway. It's convenient if you're coming from the west (Flagstaff) or east (Albuquerque) without making a detour.
South Entrance (Highway 180, from Holbrook): This gives you direct access to the Rainbow Forest Museum and the areas with the densest concentrations of petrified wood. It's ideal if you're coming from Holbrook or if you'd rather start with the fossils before heading up toward the Painted Desert.
Which one should you choose? If you've only got half a day, enter from the south. You'll reach the most remarkable concentrations of petrified wood without wasting time. If you've got the whole day, enter from the north, drive through the park from end to end, and exit on Highway 180. An extra 19-mile return via Holbrook takes you back to I-40 without turning around.
Admission is $35 per vehicle, collected at each entrance station. For valid passes, including the America the Beautiful pass, see our Fees & Passes page.
Getting Around the Park
By Car
Your car is the backbone of the visit. The fully paved scenic drive connects both entrances and passes every point of interest. It's open in both directions and accessible to all common types of vehicles.
The speed limit on the main road is 45 mph. Slow down near parking areas. Visitors regularly cross the road between their cars and the trails.
Road hours may change without notice because of weather or safety concerns. The park closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
By Shuttle
There is no public shuttle at Petrified Forest. Unlike Zion or Grand Canyon South Rim, the park has no internal bus service to its attractions. A personal vehicle is the only way to cover the scenic drive.
By Bike
Bikes are allowed on the paved road. For a fit cyclist, riding the entire route means covering 28 miles with a moderate amount of elevation gain. In summer, temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, and shade is almost nonexistent. Bring at least 3 liters of water per person. Bikes aren't allowed on the unpaved trails inside the park.
Where to Park: Parking Areas and Parking Tips
Every site along the scenic drive has a clearly marked parking area. Here are the main stops:
- Painted Desert Visitor Center (north): Large parking lot, ideal for picking up a free park map at the start of your visit.
- Puerco Pueblo: Small parking area with access to a petroglyph site.
- Blue Mesa: Parking area with a short, highly photogenic loop.
- Crystal Forest: Popular stop, with the parking area often full by 10 a.m. during peak season.
- Long Logs / Agate House: Quieter parking area, best visited early in the morning.
- Rainbow Forest Museum (south): Large parking lot with access to trails in the southern section and the park's largest concentrations of petrified wood.
During peak season (May through September), Crystal Forest and Rainbow Forest Museum fill up before 10 a.m. Arrive before 9:30 a.m. to park without driving around looking for a space. To find the least crowded time to visit, our When to Go page breaks down visitation month by month.
Distances and Driving Times Between Areas
The scenic drive runs 28 miles from north to south. Here are a few useful reference points:
- North Entrance (Visitor Center) to Blue Mesa: about 12 miles, or a 20- to 25-minute drive.
- Blue Mesa to Crystal Forest: about 6 miles, or 10 to 15 minutes.
- Crystal Forest to Rainbow Forest Museum (south entrance): about 7 miles, or 10 to 15 minutes.
Driving straight through without stopping takes 45 to 60 minutes. With stops at overlooks and the short trails, plan on 4 hours to a full day depending on your pace. Our Itinerary & Timing page offers an optimized plan based on the time you have available.
Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessibility, and Pets
RVs and vans: The scenic drive is suitable for standard-size vehicles. Large RVs, such as Class A motorhomes, may find some parking areas tight and uncomfortable. Ask the rangers at the entrance for advice before setting out. Our RV camping page lists available sites and specific restrictions.
Visitors with limited mobility: The Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum are wheelchair accessible. Several overlooks along the road can also be reached directly from the parking areas. For trail-by-trail accessibility details, the Petrified Forest guide provides a starting point for the park's official resources.
Pets: Pets are allowed in vehicles and on the paved road. They aren't allowed on unpaved trails or inside buildings. Leashes are required and may be no longer than 6 feet.
Practical Getting-Around Information: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps
Fuel: There are no gas stations inside Petrified Forest. The closest one is in Holbrook, about 25 miles from the north entrance. Fill up before entering. No exceptions.
Cell service: Coverage is very limited throughout most of the park. Don't count on online GPS or Google Maps once you're inside. Download an offline park map before you leave using the NPS app or Maps.me.
NPS app: The official National Park Service app lets you view the Petrified Forest map offline and access road-closure alerts, which are useful during summer thunderstorms or unexpected winter closures. Our Weather page covers seasonal conditions to help you plan your drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get around Petrified Forest?
You get around by car on the 28-mile paved scenic drive that crosses the park from north to south. No public shuttle serves the internal attractions.
Can you visit Petrified Forest by car?
Yes. Driving is how the park is designed to be visited. The scenic drive passes every site, and each attraction has its own parking area.
Where can you park at Petrified Forest?
Parking areas line the entire scenic drive. Crystal Forest and Rainbow Forest Museum fill up before 10 a.m. during peak season, so arrive before 9:30 a.m. to park easily.
Which is the best entrance for Petrified Forest?
The south entrance (Highway 180) is ideal if you want to start with the densest concentrations of petrified wood. The north entrance (I-40, Exit 311) works better if you're coming from I-40 and want to drive through the park from north to south.
Is there cell service in Petrified Forest?
Cell service is very limited throughout most of the park. Download your maps and the NPS app for offline use before entering.
How much does it cost to enter Petrified Forest?
Admission is $35 per vehicle. For annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.
How long does it take to visit Petrified Forest?
The length of your visit depends on your plans. Our Itinerary & Timing page offers options ranging from half a day to a full day.