Embark on a self-guided driving tour of Petrified Forest National Park and uncover the timeless beauty of this ancient landscape. Explore trails, discover geological wonders, and learn about the park’s history and fossils.
- Painted Desert Visitor Center - Our tour begins at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 1 Park Rd. If you’re not there already, you should head there now.
Note: This 28+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Petrified in 2-3 hours.
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Painted Desert Rim Trail - Coming up soon is the Painted Desert Rim Trail, an easy 1-mile hike that takes around 25 minutes.
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Painted Desert Inn - You’ll have the opportunity to see the Painted Desert Inn. This abandoned hotel dates back to the early 1900s and offers a fascinating glimpse into early tourism in the region.
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Pintado Point - Pintado Point is coming up in just a moment. As the highest overlook in the park, it offers a 360-degree view of the Painted Desert badlands. But how exactly did these badlands form?
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Nizhoni Point - “Nizhoni” means beautiful in Navajo, a name that describes the first overlook perfectly.
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Lacey Point - Lacey Point is just ahead, named after Iowa Congressman John Lacey. Lacey spent his congress years working tirelessly to protect plants and wildlife.
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U.S. Route 66 - Petrified Forest is the only national park that contains a section of Historic Route 66, that essential piece of Americana.
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Newspaper Rock - This prominent embodiment of the Blue Mesa layer is covered in rock carvings called petroglyphs.
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Historic Blue Forest Trailhead - This moderately challenging 2.4-mile roundtrip route takes around an hour to complete.
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Blue Mesa - 10-minute detour to the Blue Mesa Trail. The views that color this easy 1-mile loop trail make it a hugely popular stop for most visitors. The trail itself takes about 25 minutes.
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Agate Bridge - The “bridge” in question here is actually a 110-foot-long petrified log spanning a gully! With each end firmly embedded in sandstone, this petrified log forms a sturdy natural bridge.
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Jasper Forest - Jasper Forest, an incredible garden of petrified wood. The logs aren’t actually jasper, but they do look like it!
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Crystal Forest - This 15-minute, easy trail features intact petrified logs with quartz crystals that sparkle in the sun.
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Rainbow Forest Museum - Once the heart of the Petrified Forest National Monument, the Rainbow Forest Museum acts as one of the earliest facilities.
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Discover the timeless beauty of Petrified Forest National Park with this self-guided driving tour. Journey through an ancient landscape where once-lush forests have turned to stone and vibrant desert vistas stretch as far as the eye can see. Explore trails that wind through the park, revealing a land frozen in time and bursting with geological wonders. Unearth the history of this unique landscape, filled with prehistoric creatures, early human inhabitants, and fascinating fossils.
Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone explores together!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
