Where to Eat at Petrified Forest: Restaurants in and Around the Park
Petrified Forest is in a category of its own. When it comes to food, the park offers the basics on-site, with a single diner at the north entrance, and leaves the rest to Holbrook, its gateway town about 25 miles away. The simplest plan is to grab lunch at the Painted Desert Diner or have a picnic in the park, then eat dinner in Holbrook, where you'll find a much wider selection.
Eating in the Park: Diner and Cafeteria
The park runs north to south across Arizona for about 28 miles. Food service is concentrated at the north entrance. Elsewhere, you'll find almost nothing.
Painted Desert Diner (Northern Area)
Located at the Painted Desert Visitor Center near the north entrance, off I-40 at Exit 311, the Painted Desert Diner is the only restaurant inside the park. Petrified Forest Trading, the park's concessioner, runs it. The menu features simple, filling American food, much like what you'll find at classic Southwestern diners: hot meals, sandwiches, and hot drinks. It's practical, not gourmet. For exact hours on the day you visit, check with the visitor center when you arrive. Hours can vary with the season and staffing.
Southern Area: Plan on a Picnic
Around the Rainbow Forest Museum at the south entrance, off Highway 180, food service is limited to a few vending machines. If you're coming in from the south, plan your meal ahead of time. Holbrook, about 19 miles away via Highway 180, is the obvious place to stock up before you enter.
Groceries and Picnics in the Park
A picnic is the natural choice here. The park has developed picnic areas, especially near the Painted Desert Inn in the north and the Rainbow Forest Museum in the south. Sitting down to lunch with the Painted Desert's colorful badlands in front of you is an experience no restaurant can match.
The Petrified Forest Trading store in the north sells a few snacks and drinks, but it isn't a real grocery store. For a proper picnic, stock up in Holbrook before entering the park.
One important precaution is that drinking water is available only at the visitor centers. In summer, temperatures regularly climb above 100°F. Plan on at least 2 liters of water per person for the day, and more if you'll be walking.
Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns
Holbrook, Arizona (the Closest)
Holbrook is the essential base for Petrified Forest visitors. It's about 19 miles from the south entrance via Highway 180 and about 25 miles from the north entrance, off I-40 at Exit 311. Historic Route 66 runs through town, giving it a distinctive character: diners with retro neon, vintage motels, and old-school gas stations.
When it comes to food, you'll find all the usual American chains along the main corridor, along with Mexican restaurants popular with locals, which is always a good sign, and a few Route 66 diners serving generous portions at reasonable prices. After a long day of sightseeing, Holbrook is the natural place to stop for dinner.
For places to stay in Holbrook, our Petrified Forest lodging guide lists the options.
Winslow, for Route 66 Fans
If your route takes you west on I-40, Winslow is about 56 miles from the park. The town owes some of its fame to the Eagles' song “Take It Easy.” Its historic downtown has a few restaurants and an authentic Route 66 atmosphere. It's a pleasant stop, but not essential on a tight schedule.
Our Picks for Every Craving
A quick bite in the park: The Painted Desert Diner is a good choice for a fast meal before you get back on the scenic road.
The best view: Choose a picnic area on the Painted Desert side in the north, with the badlands as your backdrop. Pick up your meal in Holbrook that morning, then settle in around noon.
For families: The fast-food chains in Holbrook along I-40 are reliable, quick, and predictable for kids. For a local touch, ending the day at a Route 66 diner makes a good travel story.
A meal with character: The historic diners in Holbrook or Winslow, with their Formica tablecloths and menus that have barely changed since the 1960s, are as much a part of the Route 66 experience as the food itself.
A Specialty to Try Near Petrified Forest
Petrified Forest lies at the heart of Navajo country. The region's signature food is Navajo fry bread and its topped version, the Navajo taco. It's a round, golden, puffed piece of dough covered with stewed beans, seasoned meat, cheese, and salsa. Filling and flavorful, it reflects centuries of Southwestern American cooking.
Navajo stands occasionally pop up along roads near the park, especially on Highway 180. If you see one, stop. This kind of food encounter stays with you long after the photos of petrified wood have piled up.
Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, and Budget
Hours: The Painted Desert Diner follows the park's operating hours. The park closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. During the off-season, the diner may operate on a reduced schedule, so check at the entrance.
Reservations: You don't need reservations for the park diner or most restaurants in Holbrook.
Budget: Meals at the Painted Desert Diner cost what you'd expect at a national park concession, slightly more than in town. In Holbrook, local diners remain affordable, with complete meals including drinks costing far less than comparable meals in the major Southwestern tourist parks. For the overall cost of your visit, including admission, which is $25 per vehicle or $45 for the park-specific annual pass, our Fees & passes page breaks it all down.
Season: In summer, eat early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat. In winter, occasional closures are possible after snowfall. Our Weather page covers conditions month by month.
In Brief: Where to Eat Based on Your Entrance
| Area | Food on-site | Best alternative |
|---|---|---|
| North entrance (I-40, Exit 311) | Painted Desert Diner | Picnic overlooking the Painted Desert |
| South entrance (Highway 180) | Vending machines only | Holbrook (about 19 miles) |
| Passing through the park | None | Picnic prepared in Holbrook |
The smoothest plan for a full day is breakfast and provisions in Holbrook, lunch in the park at the diner or on a picnic, then dinner in Holbrook at the end of the day. Our Petrified Forest itinerary guide lays out an hour-by-hour plan to help you make the most of the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat at Petrified Forest?
Petrified Forest has one restaurant inside the park, the Painted Desert Diner, at the north entrance off I-40 at Exit 311. The south entrance off Highway 180 has no sit-down dining. Holbrook, the gateway town about 19 to 25 miles away depending on your entrance, has most of the restaurants and grocery stores.
How much does admission to Petrified Forest cost?
Admission is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle. A park-specific annual pass is available for $45. For full details and interagency passes valid at other parks, see the national parks Fees & passes page.
What is the closest town to Petrified Forest?
Holbrook, Arizona, is the closest town to the park, about 19 miles from the south entrance via Highway 180. It has most of the lodging and restaurants serving Petrified Forest visitors. Our guide to getting to Petrified Forest explains the options for reaching the park from the region's major cities.
Can I picnic at Petrified Forest?
Yes. Picnicking is allowed in the park's developed areas. It's one of the best options: prepare your meal in Holbrook before entering, then settle in on the Painted Desert side in the north for lunch with a view of the badlands.