By:
Submission
There is no RV, car, or front country camping in the park. There is no boondocking, dispersed or “primitive” camping, or just pulling off into a parking area.
There is only backpacking/hiking into the designated Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area to spend the night in the park, at least a half mile from your vehicle. Please be prepared for this adventure! Remember to LNT.
The backpacking wilderness permit is free. You may obtain it in person from either visitor centers on the day that you want to backpack. Each vehicle must have a permit. The permits are available until 4:30 pm.
There are private campgrounds throughout Navajo and Apache Counties, in and around Holbrook, Sun Valley, St. Johns, Joseph City, and other communities.
Groups
Group camping is limited to 8. Because of the fragile soils and landscape features, minimum impact camping is very important. This includes limiting the number of people within an area.
There is no fee, but you must obtain a permit to camp in the back country.
Group camping is limited to 8. Because of the fragile soils and landscape features, minimum impact camping is very important. This includes limiting the number of people within an area.
Such a beautiful place so much to see definitely worth a stop
Absolutely breathtaking and the scenery changes with every turn. I have been here a few times and it never ceases to amaze me
We started hiking the Painted Desert Rim trail, and then near the old inn we went down into the wilderness area. It’s amazing. We were hiking up the mesas and between them. We found lots of petrified wood, it’s incredible! It looks like a piece of wood, but it feels like a heavy rock. Very unique nature. We enjoyed the hike a lot. And there were no people there. I highly recommend going there. Hiking in wilderness is amazing.
Beautiful place even if you don't like hiking, a lot of the area has roads you can drive around to see the area. Ticket prices are good and the park has some nice food.
