Itinerary · 2 days · Arizona
2 Days in Petrified Forest National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Petrified Forest National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: Apr–May, Oct. Closest major airport: Phoenix (PHX) or Albuquerque (ABQ), about 3.5 hours.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Walk the Crystal Forest trail. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: See Blue Mesa's badlands.
- Evening: Look out over the Painted Desert.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Find the petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock.
- Afternoon: Stop at the Route 66 alignment marker.
It works as a half-day stop on I-40. Enter at one end and exit the other on the 28-mile park road.
When to go
The best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is April–May and October.
Best time to visit Petrified Forest, month by month · What to pack
Questions
How many days do you need in Petrified Forest National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: walk the crystal forest trail and see blue mesa's badlands on day one, then find the petroglyphs at newspaper rock on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Petrified Forest itinerary?
Go in Apr–May, Oct, when the park is rated at its best. April, May and October offer the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Petrified Forest in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss find the petroglyphs at newspaper rock. Two days is the sweet spot.