Petrified Forest · December · Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park in December
December is a fair month for Petrified Forest National Park, with some limitations. It is one of the quietest times to go. Highs average 46°F and lows 26°F, with about 0.87 inches of rain.
December is rated fair at Petrified Forest. Consider Apr–May, Oct instead.
What to expect
Honest take: December is not the month for Petrified Forest. Cold, windy and very quiet. A dusting of snow on the Painted Desert is striking.
It works as a half-day stop on I-40. Enter at one end and exit the other on the 28-mile park road.
Good to know
- Best months overall: Apr–May, Oct.
- Closest airport: Phoenix (PHX) or Albuquerque (ABQ), about 3.5 hours.
- Before you go: Taking any petrified wood from the park is illegal. Buy it from shops outside the park, which sell wood collected on private land. Check current conditions on nps.gov.
Questions
Is December a good time to visit Petrified Forest National Park?
December is a fair month for Petrified Forest National Park, with some limitations. It is one of the quietest times to go. Highs average 46°F and lows 26°F, with about 0.87 inches of rain.
What is the weather like in Petrified Forest National Park in December?
Highs average 46°F and lows 26°F, with about 0.87 inches of rain. Conditions are fair this month, so check the month-by-month ratings before you commit.
How crowded is Petrified Forest National Park in December?
December is one of the quietest months at Petrified Forest National Park.