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- English
Experience the ancient wonder of Petrified Forest National Park on our guided tour!
Our self-guided audio tour will turn your smartphone into a personal guide as it takes you on a journey through time to explore the stunning landscape of this unique national park.
Marvel at the incredible petrified wood that gives the park its name, as well as the ancient fossils and vibrant rock formations that tell the story of this area's rich geological history.
We'll share fascinating insights into the park's history and ecology, including the ancient cultures that once called this area home. With stops at multiple viewpoints and scenic overlooks, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking beauty of this one-of-a-kind national park.
*Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Recommended Start Time: Before 11:00 a.m.
Itinerary
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1Painted Desert Visitor Center
Stop at the visitor center for a quick bathroom break! These flush toilets are the cleanest you'll find until the Rainbow Forest Museum on the other end of the park.
15 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2Kachina Point
The expanse of the Painted Desert is plainly viewable from the overlook, easily accessible behind the Painted Desert Inn via a short path from the parking lot.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Puerco Pueblo
This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4The Tepees
These conical hills, banded with several shades of mudstones, are said to resemble Tepees. There are two pull-offs on the side of Petrified Forest Rd to park the car and get a good view--the North Pullout and the South Pullout, which is also the trailhead for the "Off the Beaten Path" Blue Forest Trail.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Blue Mesa
The Blue Mesa is one of the most beautiful parts of the park, with more opportunities to discover the strange, eroded badlands. Atop the Blue Mesa, the road splits and becomes a one-way loop. Stop at the first pull-offs for a glimpse of the badlands, and the first petrified wood deposit you see coming from the north.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Agate Bridge
This 100-ft long petrified log sits on top of a small chasm, forming a bridge. When the park opened, visitors could stand on top of it! Today, the log is off-limits and supported by concrete, but this is a quick, easy stop for an impressively long piece of petrified wood.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Jasper Forest
An overlook sits over a desert plain with a dense petrified wood deposit below. Want a closer look? Another ‘off the beaten path’ trail leads from the right of the parking lot down to the deposit following a well-worn path to the wash. Then it’s just you and the petrified wood–a truly astonishing and bizarre landscape.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Crystal Forest Trail
This 0.75-mile hike makes a loop through one of the park's major petrified wood deposits. The paved trail and mostly flat topography make for an easy hike, and one accessible for those with wheelchairs or strollers.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9Rainbow Forest Museum
If you only visit one visitor center in the national park, make it this one! In addition to the typical orientation video, gift shop, restrooms, and information desk, you'll find exhibits on the area's paleontology including fossils found in the park. Behind the building is the 0.4-mile Giant Logs trail, which passes some of the largest pieces of petrified wood in the park.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
- The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
- The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
- Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
- Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
- Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
- Park open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; 28-mile scenic drive takes ~45 min without stops
- Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time, but the nearby Navajo Reservation does — confirm your time before arriving
- One restaurant in the park: Painted Desert Diner (north entrance); snacks also available at the south entrance gift shop; three picnic areas if you bring your own food
- One gas station in the park (north end) — cheaper to fill up outside the park
- Removing petrified wood is strictly prohibited
- Bonus stop: Winslow, AZ is less than an hour away — notable for its historic railroad hotel and Eagles "Take It Easy" tribute
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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