Private Petrified Forest Tour: Surreal Views & Native History
5.0
11 Ratings
Sedona
Embark on a private tour of the Petrified Forest, where you'll witness surreal views, learn about the petrification process, and delve into the rich native history of the area. Explore Walnut Canyon National Monument and enjoy a scenic drive along Route 66. Book now!
Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Oak Creek Canyon - Enjoy the amazing scenery while we go over the geology, history, and the sites along the way.
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument - Before visiting the Petrified Forest National Park, we will adventure through the Walnut Canyon National Monument (another fantastic view to take in!) which is full of some of the best preserved Native cliff dwellings in the southwest. We will explore the dwellings alongside the canyon the same way they did. This includes SEVERAL FLIGHTS OF STAIRS we have to navigate (10 SETS IN TOTAL). We give ourselves about an hour and a half to walk through the canyon.
  • Holbrook - We stop for lunch along Route 66
  • Petrified Forest National Park - This is one of the most surreal views you will ever see. You will feel as though you are walking on another planet when you visit one of Arizona’s best kept secrets. During this tour, we will discuss the many interesting theories of how the wood came to be petrified, as well as the amazing exposed strata of the painted desert known as the Chinle Formation (which is only exposed in this region of Arizona). We will also go over the rich native history in the area, as we walk amongst the ancient Hopi and Navajo lands.
  • Sedona - Return back to Red Rock country
What's Included
  • Bottled water included
  • Parking fees covered
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Managed by the local owner, Dynamic Journey Tours, this trip offers you one of the most surreal landscapes you’ll ever witness. Our tour includes discussions about the intriguing theories behind the petrification of the wood and a look at the astonishing visible strata of the painted desert, known as the Chinle Formation. Additionally, we’ll delve into the rich indigenous history of the area as we tread on these ancient lands.

We begin our day in Sedona, journeying through Oak Creek Canyon and passing Flagstaff. Before reaching the park, we make a trip to the Walnut Canyon National Monument - another scenic vista. The canyon is home to some of the best-preserved Native cliff dwellings in the southwest, which we will navigate just as the original inhabitants did - which involves CLIMBING NUMEROUS STAIRCASES.

The subsequent phase of our journey takes us through Route 66 via Holbrook, where we’ll stop for lunch.

Following lunch, we’ll spend approximately 4 hours to investigate the PFNP and travel North to visit most of the remarkable sites.

Location
Oak Creek Canyon
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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Terrypa6117ac
Apr 4, 2024
A perfect day - Wonderful day, hosted by Connor, who has a most impressive knowledge base of geology, history and local customs, etc. He was respectful, considerate and always full of detailed facts. We saw unique and unusual land/rock formations. If Connor had not been with us, we would not have observed and marvelled at their beauty. With Connor present, he filled in all the geological and geographical blanks. He was better than Google! We received full value for the day and would highly recommend to anyone wishing to increase their understanding of these unique areas, probably seeing areas that one would miss on their own, all the while in the comfort of a very nice van, without the stress of driving.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dianelc8662zk
Sep 3, 2023
Amazing Tour - Connor is an amazing tour guide!! He took my husband and I on a private tour starting and ending in Sedona. Our first stop was at Walnut Canyon. Connnor explained the history as well as pointed out different types of plants. He made the stop so interesting. Next, we headed East to the town of Holcomb for some authentic Mexican/Navajo food for lunch. He then drove us through the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. His knowledge of these areas is phenomenal!! Connor made our day worth everything!!! You definitely can’t go wrong booking a tour with him!! We will use him again on our next trip to Sedona!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A4948ttwilliaml
Sep 1, 2023
Best Tour ever! - Connor is absolutely the most amazing, knowledgeable person I have been fortunate to meet. His company and specifically Connor was recommended to me. Lucky for us. We took his recommendation and went on the Petrified Forest adventure and certainly was not disappointed. We did Walnut Canyon National Park first. What an experience. Then on to lunch at a great little authentic Mexican Restaurant. Navaho Taco is killer. Then onto to Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. This should be on everyone’s bucket list. Truly special. Also Connor is very knowledgeable on area native plants and trees and what uses the Navaho did with these plants. If you commit to this excursion it’s a bargain. In my opinion worth twice or more for what you pay. It’s a long day 11 hours but he makes it fun. Thank you Connor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Magicdad1317
May 1, 2023
Ultimate Arizona Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Meteor Crater Tour - My wife and I took a total of 3 full day private tours with Conner during our trip to Sedona during the Fall 2022, and we had an absolutely fabulous time and wonderful experience! As a tour guide, Conner was extremely knowledgeable about all the areas we visited and took the time to explain the history and geology of the various sites. We found Conner to be very friendly and engaging and quite accommodating to our special requests. He was punctual and responded promptly to texts and emails. He is an excellent driver as well as tour guide, so all we were able to just relax and enjoy the scenery. Our first tour was to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Per our request, Conner took us to see Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum in lieu of Walnut Canyon. The Crater was impressively huge and the Museum was fun to visit. After a nice lunch at a 1950's themed diner on Route 66, we arrived at the Petrified Forest area to marvel at huge mineralized logs. Next, we arrived at the highlight of the tour which was the Painted Desert area. Walking among the multicolored rock formations felt like visiting another planet. In addition to the Ultimate Petrified Forest/Painted Desert Adventure, we also took the full day Ultimate Grand Canyon Tour and a specialized arranged full day trip to Monument Valley with Conner. These 2 tours were equally as entertaining and enjoyable. If you have not had the chance to have a private tour before, I would strongly recommend taking one of Conner's Dynamic Journey Tours. You will not be disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hector_g
Apr 6, 2023
great petrified forest and surrounding areas experience - The guide that drive us knew what he was talking about, walked with us at all the stops explaining what needed to be seen . The tour was very well planned and he was friendly and approachable . I highly recommend this specific tour company
Review provided by Viator
David_n
Feb 13, 2023
Wonderful and Educational - The guide Connor showed us everything and was knowledgeable about every subject about the tour. The Petrified Forest should not be missed. Beautiful views and not crowded.
Review provided by Viator
Connor
Jan 31, 2023
Yes! - During the day we had so much scenery to take in. Not only was it a massive change each mile we traveled down the road, but everything else between the air, the weather and even the people changung is so dramatically from one point to the next. We didn't realize that this tour would be taking us nearby the Hopi reservation, and seeing the Petrified Forest through the eyes of the Native Americans really was an eye-opener. Before we went there we stopped off at some Cliff ruins and was even more mesmerized by what we didn't know Arizona had to offer. I would do this tour again next time I visit the area!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ig997
Oct 5, 2022
Tour Guide Extraordinaire - We spent two full days with Connor exploring the petrified forest, the painted desert and the south rim of the Grand Canyon with stops along the way at sights not normally visited by the masses. The car was very comfortable and the conversations enlightening, educational and entertaining. Connor was enthusiastic about the subjects of discussion and he was extremely knowledgeable about the history, geology and archaeology of all the sights and places in between. We whole heartedly and highly recommend Connor as a tour quide extraordinaire.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
210paulld
Oct 4, 2022
Entertaining and Memorable - Great tour and excellent guide Connor! He shared his vast knowledge of the sites in a very entertaining and enlightening manner. He was very polite and hospitable and made our experience delightful and memorable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explorer19769041468
May 10, 2022
Outstanding trip with a wonderful guide - Outstanding tour of Walnut Creek Canyon and the Petrified Forest. Our guide, Connor, was very knowledgeable about the history of the area as well as its geography and geology. His enthusiasm and love for the area were on full display during the entire tour. It was a fascinating day with an excellent guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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