Petrified Forest National Park: Ancient Trees & Stunning Landscapes 🏜️☀️
January 2022 // Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Only here for the view? Jump to the gallery.
Equipment
Locations
📍 Petrified Forest National Park — Petrified Forest, AZ 86028 (see location on map below)
The main park area is home to colorful fossilized logs, the Painted Desert, petroglyphs, and several scenic overlooks. Accessible from both the north and south entrances along Interstate 40.
📍 Jasper Forest — Petrified Forest National Park, AZ (see location on map below)
One of the best spots to see large clusters of petrified wood scattered across the valley floor. A peaceful overlook with wide-open desert views.
📍 The Tepees — Petrified Forest National Park, AZ (see location on map below)
Cone-shaped badland hills layered with blue, gray, and purple sediment. Especially photogenic in soft light or just after rain.
📍 Painted Desert Inn — Petrified Forest National Park, AZ (see location on map below)
Historic adobe building that once served travelers along Route 66. Now a museum featuring restored murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie and exhibits on the area’s cultural history.\
📍 Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co. — 147 Hwy 180, Holbrook, AZ 86025
Unique shop located just outside the park in Holbrook, Arizona. The indoor showroom features polished petrified wood, geodes, and crystals - but the real highlight is the massive outdoor rock yard. Plan at least an hour to wander through rows of raw petrified wood, geodes, and other treasures.
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Blog
Petrified Forest National Park wasn’t really on my list. One of those places I’d heard of, sure, but hadn’t circled on a map or dreamed about visiting. But somewhere along another cross-country drive, the landscape caught my eye, and I figured… why not?
It’s the kind of place that sneaks up on you. Wide-open skies, soft rolling badlands, and ancient trees turned to stone, scattered across the desert like they’ve been waiting for someone to notice them. I’m so glad I did.
The park is home to one of the largest collections of petrified wood in the world, with logs that are over 200 million years old. And these aren’t just dull, gray stumps either - they shine with reds, purples, blues, and golds, thanks to the minerals that replaced the wood over time. Up close, they almost look like gemstones.
I only had about two hours here (poor planning on my part), so I barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. I made a few quick stops - stared out over the Painted Desert with its soft pink and red hills stretching into the horizon, wandered through quiet overlooks, stood still by some of the petroglyphs carved into stone by people who lived here long before any of us were road-tripping through. I spotted a couple of ravens overhead, but the park is also home to pronghorn, jackrabbits, lizards, and, if you’re really lucky, the occasional bobcat. No bobcat sightings for me this time - but maybe that’s a good reason to come back.
Petrified Forest is well worth the stop. It’s one of the quieter national parks, which honestly makes it better. You can take your time here without feeling rushed or crowded.
Before you head out, I can’t recommend Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Co. enough. It’s nearby in Holbrook, and while the indoor shop is full of polished geodes, crystals, and petrified wood slices, the real magic is out back in the rock yard. Rows and rows of geodes and raw petrified wood, all laid out under the desert sun. Give yourself at least an hour to wander - it’s the kind of place where you lose track of time in the best way.
I’m already thinking about a return trip, with a little more time built in. I’d love to slow down, hike some of the longer trails, photograph Agate House (a partially rebuilt pueblo made entirely of petrified wood), and really let the place sink in.
Gallery
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