Petrified Forest · January · Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park in January

January is a fair month for Petrified Forest National Park, with some limitations. It is one of the quietest times to go. Highs average 47°F and lows 25°F, with about 0.89 inches of rain.

January is rated fair at Petrified Forest. Consider Apr–May, Oct instead.

Full park guideAll parks in January
RatingFair
CrowdsQuiet
Avg high / low47°F / 25°F
Rain0.89 in

What to expect

Honest take: January is not the month for Petrified Forest. Cold, windy and very quiet. A dusting of snow on the Painted Desert is striking.

Local tip

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.

2-day Petrified Forest itinerary · Packing list

Questions

Is January a good time to visit Petrified Forest National Park?

January is a fair month for Petrified Forest National Park, with some limitations. It is one of the quietest times to go. Highs average 47°F and lows 25°F, with about 0.89 inches of rain.

What is the weather like in Petrified Forest National Park in January?

Highs average 47°F and lows 25°F, with about 0.89 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 January?

January is one of the quietest months at Petrified Forest National Park.