{"id":"nps-pefo","slug":"petrified-forest-national-park","name":"Petrified Forest National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"PEFO","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-pefo"}],"states":["AZ"],"stateNames":["Arizona"],"location":{"lat":34.98387664,"lon":-109.7877678},"bbox":[-109.9685,34.7787,-109.5767,35.1705],"acres":{"value":223723,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood. Spanning more than 200 million years of geologic history, the park protects ancient fossils, ancestral Puebloan sites, habitat for desert animals, and a sweeping stretch of historic Route 66.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[{"id":"ppl-m-petrified-forest","type":"protected","label":"Protected by T.R.","date":"1906-12-08","then":"Petrified Forest National Monument","thenKind":"national monument","text":"As President, Theodore Roosevelt set aside Petrified Forest National Monument (1906-12-08).","note":"Fallen logs from ancient forests, turned to stone and scattered across the painted desert. It became a national park in 1962.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-697-setting-aside-petrified-forest-national-monument-arizona","name":"presidency.ucsb.edu"},{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20200214180323/https://www.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/monumentslist.htm","name":"web.archive.org"},{"name":"Roosevelt’s Public Lands","url":"https://publiclands.labs.trlibrary.com/#place=m-petrified-forest"}],"dataset":"publiclands","reviewed":true},{"id":"ea-proc-697","type":"executive-action","label":"Traces to a T.R. proclamation or order","date":"1906-12-08","document":"Proclamation 697","title":"Setting Aside Petrified Forest National Monument, Arizona","relation":"absorbed into it","text":"Proclamation 697 (1906-12-08): “Setting Aside Petrified Forest National Monument, Arizona.” Today’s site absorbed into it.","note":"221,390.21 acres today, 147,154.45 of them federal.","sources":[{"name":"Proclamation 697 in Theodore Roosevelt’s Executive Orders and Proclamations","url":"https://executiveactions.labs.trlibrary.com/document.html?id=proc-697"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division, listing of acreage, June 30, 2026"}],"dataset":"executiveactions","reviewed":true}],"trTypes":["protected","executive-action"],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=35.1705&b_tl_lng=-109.9685&b_br_lat=34.7787&b_br_lng=-109.5767","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Petrified%20Forest%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D8213-1DD8-B71B-0BE4A3B9394FD89A.jpg","title":"Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area","alt":"Sunlit Painted Desert hills of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area","caption":"Sunrise and sunset are favorite times to view the colorful Painted Desert of the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D83C9-1DD8-B71B-0B294D0F9ABC4B94.jpg","title":"Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark","alt":"Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.","caption":"Sunset lights up the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark west side.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D8582-1DD8-B71B-0BCCD89452609E15.jpg","title":"Agate House","alt":"Sunlight highlights the colorful petrified wood of Agate House","caption":"Agate House was built over 900 years ago out of pieces of petrified wood","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85B076-1DD8-B71B-0BE0B8C88713C5B1.jpg","title":"Puerco Pueblo","alt":"Masonry wall foundations are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo","caption":"Masonry wall remnants are all that are left of a hundred room pueblo.","credit":"NPS Photo/Andrew V. Kearns","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85B554-1DD8-B71B-0BA79402AD7E7711.jpg","title":"Blue Mesa Trail","alt":"Two visitors walk the Blue Mesa Trail between blue, purple, and grey badlands.","caption":"Visitors enjoy the otherworldly walk along the Blue Mesa.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85C078-1DD8-B71B-0BD76F126AAEA9B3.jpg","title":"Jasper Forest","alt":"many petrified logs lay on the ground and on eroded pedestals of clay","caption":"Jasper Forest has some of the most colorful logs in the park.","credit":"NPS Photo/Andrew V. Kearns","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85C3CB-1DD8-B71B-0B296F95FC7E1D8C.jpg","title":"Summer Solstice Petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo","alt":"A beam of light touches a petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo on the summer solstice","caption":"A petroglyph at Puerco Pueblo interacts with the sunlight on the summer solstice.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85C4E0-1DD8-B71B-0B7C5271FF8EF1B7.jpg","title":"Mountain Lion Petroglyph","alt":"a petroglyph pecked into sandstone that represents a mountain lion","caption":"This ancient petroglyph of a mountain lion has become an icon of the park.","credit":"NPS Photo/Stuart Holmes","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85C6E5-1DD8-B71B-0BC4D0A3D39A6DE2.jpg","title":"Paleontological Excavation","alt":"Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands","caption":"Researchers dig for fossils in the badlands.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C85CBE9-1DD8-B71B-0B8A5549DD3F55D1.jpg","title":"Colorful Piece of Petrified Wood","alt":"yellow and other colors in a piece of brightly colored petrified wood","caption":"Iron oxide is one of the many trace minerals that create the color of petrified wood.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/044BA1B8-1DD8-B71B-0BDCE568A7F4FC60.jpg","title":"Milky Way Over Blue Mesa","alt":"Dark blue sky filled with stars over banded badland.","caption":"Petrified Forest is now an International Dark Sky Park!","credit":"NPS/Jacob Holgerson","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Cultural Demonstrations","Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)","Compass and GPS","Geocaching","Orienteering","Food","Dining","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Self-Guided Tours - Auto","Hands-On","Citizen Science","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horse Camping (see also camping)","Horseback Riding","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Ruins","Arts","Painting","Photography","Explorers and Expeditions","Farming and Agriculture","Great Depression","Hispanic American Heritage","Latino American Heritage","LGB American Heritage","Migrations","Native American Heritage","Science, Technology and Innovation","Social Movements","Conservation Movement","Transportation","Roads, Routes and Highways","Trains and Railroads","Westward Expansion","Homesteading","Women's History","Animals","Birds","Cats (wild)","Elk","Climate Change","Dunes","Foothills, Plains and Valleys","Plateaus and Mesas","Fossils and Paleontology","Dinosaur","Petrified Wood","Geology","Grasslands","Prairies","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","River and Riparian","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Thickets and Shrublands","Trails","Wilderness"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"25.00","description":"Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"20.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans)\n\nIf you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Per Person","cost":"10.00","description":"$25 flat fee + $10 per person (Sedans, SUVs, Minivans)\n\nIf you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"50.00","description":"Capacity of 7 to 15 passengers - $50 (Vans).\n\nIf you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"60.00","description":"Capacity of 16-25 passengers - $60\n\nIf you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"150.00","description":"Capacity of 26+ passengers - $150 (Large tour buses, motorcoaches).\n\nIf you are conducting an income generating tour of the park, you are subject to commercial tour fees. Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"15.00","description":"Capacity of 16 or more $15/person.  Anyone that is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee, in addition to anyone with a valid pass. A pass may cover immediate family members or up to 4 people traveling with the group.\n\nA non-commercial organized group is a group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, or other group that has organized its own itinerary. Fees are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"45.00","description":"Come here often? Consider purchasing an annual pass. The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue."}],"hours":[{"name":"Park Road Hours","description":"Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","monday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","thursday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","sunday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","tuesday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","friday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","saturday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Park Closed Thanksgiving.","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"thursday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Park Closed Christmas.","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"Petrified Forest stretches north/south between I-40 and Hwy 180. There are two entrances into the park.*** ***WESTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 311, drive 28 miles through the park to Hwy 180 at the south end. Travel 19 miles to return to I-40 via Holbrook.*** ***EASTBOUND I-40***Travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook then travel 19 miles on Hwy 180 to the park's south entrance. Drive 28 miles north through the park to return to I-40.","weatherInfo":"Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often dramatic summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.","contacts":{"phone":"928-524-6822","email":"PEFO_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Painted Desert Visitor Center","description":"Painted Desert Visitor Center is located at exit #311 off of I-40 is closed for construction. Follow signs to the Painted Desert Inn. This facility is serving as the north visitor center. The center provides information, brochures, book sales, exhibits, and restrooms.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":35.0655779315,"lon":-109.781576685},{"name":"Rainbow Forest Museum","description":"Rainbow Forest Museum provides exhibits of petrified wood, fossils, and displays of prehistoric animals as well as information, book sales, and restrooms.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":34.8151527674,"lon":-109.865823355},{"name":"Painted Desert Inn","description":"In its almost 100 years overlooking the Painted Desert, the inn has undergone many changes. The original building from the early 1920s was made of petrified wood. Today's stucco façade dates to the 1930s renovation of the Painted Desert Inn. The national historic landmark functions only as a museum now, with no overnight accommodation and food service. Displays inside highlight the building's history, Route 66, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are also restored murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/historyculture/pdi.htm","lat":35.08383266588456,"lon":-109.78882312774658}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"hubbell-trading-post-national-historic-site","km":83},{"slug":"sitgreaves-national-forest","km":92},{"slug":"el-morro-national-monument","km":131},{"slug":"canyon-de-chelly-national-monument","km":135},{"slug":"el-malpais-national-conservation-area","km":151},{"slug":"apache-national-forest","km":152}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=pefo"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.621Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Painted Desert Visitor Center Closed for Construction","text":"A major construction project is underway at Petrified Forest National Park. The Painted Desert Visitor Center is currently being renovated and is expected to reopen in June 2027. Visitor center operations have been relocated to the Painted Desert Inn, two miles past the entrance station. The restrooms, restaurant, giftshop, and gas station are still operating during construction.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-28 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-6136DC5B-D12B-4F2A-95FD-8ED93B595944"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"The Painted Desert Oasis Gift Shop, Gas Station and Restaurant are Open!","text":"The Painted Desert Oasis gift shop, gas station and restaurant located at the north entrance of the park are open, and restrooms are available during construction. Visitor center operations are currently located at the Painted Desert Inn, two miles past the entrance station.","url":null,"updated":"2026-02-26 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-B0DB1721-80A7-4BD2-AC15-1048D72613DF"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Park Headquarters Phones are Down","text":"Phones at park headquarters are currently down. Please call the visitor center at Painted Desert Inn 928-235-2467 or the Visitor Services office 928-235-2391 between 8 am and 5 pm. You can also send us an email at pefo_information@nps.gov.","url":null,"updated":"2026-02-24 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-DC37A899-318A-4508-87DB-A4FA011CCE13"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/petrified-forest-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/petrified-forest-national-park.geojson"}