What a cool park!…read more We have a lifetime parks pass, so it's been great to be able to explore when we can. We spent about 1/2 day here - drove to many of the overlooks for some very cool views. Followed someone recommendation to hike the Blue Mesa and truly felt like we were walking on the moon. Very cool colors and petrified logs lying around. It's about a mile; so quite a short hike but you are 'up close and personal' with nature. Take the time to walk thru the museum at the Inn (there's also clean restrooms here and an ice cream shop). They've done a great job preserving the original furniture and such. The parking lots at many of the stops had several spots for RV's and could accommodate towing as well. Clean restrooms thru out the park too A tip would be to hike in the morning as the afternoons can get pretty toasty and windy

I am a big fan of national parks and am also a big fan of keeping them fully budgeted and staffed…read more If you have ever been to a national park, you know that they get a ton of visitors from other countries. These foreign folks love our national parks for good reason. Americans should also appreciate them. Now, this is probably not one of the "must do" national parks. It is not a Yosemite or a Yellowstone. There is no camping here and much of the park is entirely experienced by driving around in your car. There are a few hiking spots, some better than others. There are two entrances and there is only one road between them. It is impossible to get lost, although there are a few turnoffs. You drive from one entrance to the other and then you are done. Apparently, some people drive through the park, never leave their car, and spend about an hour in total here. It seems crazy to me to visit a national park in one hour and I do not recommend it. Do one or more of the hikes. Get out and experience a few of the overlooks. The Blue Mesa portion of the park is incredible. That was probably the highlight of the park for me. The color of the hills is just surreal. It is like you landed on Mars. You will, of course, see petrified (or "fossilized") wood here. It is multi-colored beautiful stuff. The visitor center on the north end is much better than the one at the south end. There is a cafe at the north visitor center, better souvenirs, and also the Painted Desert Inn where you can experience a bit of history from about a 100 years ago. Spend some time here whether you are just entering the park or leaving it. I would plan on spending about three or four hours here, especially if you do at least one good hike and stop at most of the overlooks. If you did all the hikes and all the overlooks and bring a lunch (there are no picnic or lunch areas, by the way), you could probably spend the entire day here. Half a day, including one long hike, was fine for us and I feel like we saw all of the highlights. I hate to give any area of land less than 5 stars through no fault of its own but this is not one of the more spectacular national parks in the country. But if you are in the area, it is worth a visit.

The park itself was amazing! The equipment was new and sturdy. They even had mini zip lines!…read moreUnfortunately we had a rather unpleasant experience because our 13 year old broke his leg coming down one of the slides. Other than that, great park!

Nice little park. It's water sprayers in the summer and nice Ramadas. It's a fun free place .read more

I had never stayed in an AZ. State Park before but it was really a relaxing sweet spot to spend the…read morenight on our way to Verde Valley. Cute groupings of mules and/or donkeys meandering on the landscape in groups within the park boundary. I love animals so that is always great to see! It was an uncrowded park and truly very beautiful. The Visitor Center, where you go to register if you are planning on camping, was very educational and the park employees we spoke with were both extremely friendly, helpful and informative. We did the driving tour, where it takes you to the 3 ruins. We got out at each stop to walk the paths and continued listening to the excellent tour on our iPhones. Much to learn about those ruins and the people who came to make it their home. The campground was well kept up, power, water, waste station, and sweet views. There were also bathrooms on site for tent campers. I felt very safe there. I loved the peaceful open space with lots of wind, sun, moon and friendly campers. Highly recommend! Suggestion: Make sure you take & drink plenty of water because it's AZ. and temps can be extremely hot in the summer. PLEASE RESPECT the land you are on there- do not under any circumstances disturb the sites or take any pottery chards. Stay on the walking paths and be respectful of this sacred place. Enjoy your visit!

Wow! First impression, we never felt this intense volume of quiet ever! You don't even hear the…read morewind blowing. The middle of nowhere! I mean really nowhere! Second impression - how could such a sophisticated culture live in such a desolate area? Yes, there is water nearby, but the vastness and isolation of it all is intriguing and astonishing. This vast 4k acre area is a preserve, research and archeological hub, of a more than 1,100 to 900-year-old Hopi civilization, and holds an overwhelming amount of specimens of Pueblo/Hopi debris, pottery and dwellings paraphernalia. At an estimated 4,900 feet above sea level, your 360° panoramic view of the surrounds and plateaus below to the far horizon are nothing but spectacular, miles and miles of nothing but desert. The small yet well-endowed and instructional little museum offers a great insight of what your surrounded by at Homolovi Ruins - and the staff are exceptionally nice folk. It is a terrific starter before going out on your own to encounter southwestern antiquity at its most natural. As a whole, this is a unique, intriguing and instructional excursion into the realm of the past when taken and that will never be forgotten.

The Petrified Forest is known for its fossils, but the sediments (Chinle Formation) that encase the…read morepetrified wood are also just as beautiful! The northern part of the national park really focuses on the badlands. I unfortunately didn't have time to do the trail here, but there are many pullouts and viewpoints along the road so you do get a taste of the beauty right from the road. If you're a more experienced hiker, you can backpack this area after getting a permit. There are ancestral Pueblo structures and petrogylphs here in addition to the petrified wood. This is definitely worth a stop!

The Painted Desert is a badlands area in the northern part of Petrified Forest National Park. I…read morelove this beautiful part of the park. This colorful Chinle Formation consists of a variety of sedimentary rocks on cliffs, hills, mesas and buttes. Its pretty colors is why it is called the Painted Desert. The Painted Desert stretches all the way to the east end of Grand Canyon National Park. There are some overlooks off the main road that allow you to see an overview of the area. There are also some hiking trails. The map at the overlook gives you information on far away many of points of interest are. Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is nearby and has a lot of history to it. The original building from the early 1920's was made of petrified wood. Today it is a museum that showcases the history of the building, historic Route 66 that once passed through here and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Painted Desert Visitor Center is also nearby with park rangers on hand for information.

LOVED the crystals and stuff here!!! There are Crystals, Onyx, Petrified wood pieces, jewelry,…read moretrinkets, clothes, cups, etc! It was also super hot but loved that this trip was all in our vehicle. I would recommend filling up BEFORE taking this very very long drive!! There is also a gas station right next to the gift/bathroom building if you need gas! Military members get in for free and they give you an annual pass you can use for any and all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands. It'll expire the next year! (2026 will expire in 2027) The burgers were good and I'd try out the fried zucchini sticks with some mayo! Not as bad as you think! Will add pics of items later!

Overall solid national park! Of course, this is all about the petrified wood, but the northern area…read moreof the park has badlands that are super colorful too. Be sure to visit that area - you won't regret it! I stopped by the Rainbow Forest Museum and Visitor Center first. This was a cool little museum that features the types of fossils found here, as well as the NPS gift shop. The bathrooms are right outside, as well as the Giant Logs Trail. Giant Logs features some of the largest and most colorful logs in the park. "Old Faithful", at the top of the trail, is almost ten feet wide at the base! If you had to only make one stop, make it be this one. If you're only exploring the southern portion of the park, my next recommendation would be the Blue Mesa Trail, since you get to see some badlands and hike down all the layers. This park is definitely worth a visit!

Don't believe everyone with blown out photos, making this place look garish - it's actually pretty…read morein real life. Ample parking that is included if you paid the park entrance fee of $25 per car or free if you use your National Park Pass. Visited in May 2023 and it wasn't too hot and there is a placard to read here. There is no shade so wear sunscreen and a hat. No bathroom facilities (that's at the visitor's center.) Visited May 2023

Wonderful little spot. Clear water, nice and peaceful. People seem to keep to themselves. No riff…read moreraff in

2 friends and I went to the this place having not much of an expectation. We are up in Flagstaff…read morefor school and wanted to get some sun in before we go back to school tomorrow. Jac had a great idea to come here for a lil sun day to go cliff jumping! k and I haven't been before, met a nice man who help film a video of us jumping from the underneath of the bridge. Bunch of people kayaking and paddling with dogs and kids! friendly area, would come back again! Remember to pick up after yourself, lots of trash which is sad. ;(

Photos don't do this trail justice since they are either way too oversaturated or washed out in my…read moreopinion. You have to experience the real thing to make your own judgement. This is a 1 mile loop trail that descends among the badland hills through the blue clay. I've never seen clay as blue before. There's also petrified wood here embedded in the soil. It felt cool to be able to descend through the layers of time and see all the stripes. At the bottom, the hills are hulking and imposing. It really makes you feel minuscule, while at the top you get a nice view of the undulating badlands. The trail is steep in sections. There's also very little shade on the trail (the trailhead does have a sun shelter with benches), so have sun protection and bring water.

Well worth the very easy, leisure .8 mile walk. Beautiful views of petrified wood. Just a beautiful…read morejourney back into time.

Thank you Holbrook Kiwanis for providing such a nice dog park!…read more Regret THOSE that DON't picked up after their dog(s). Shame of "you" for ruining a nice service provided by a volunteer group

Easy stop, right off the highway. Green grass, trees, pretty. Connected to a picnic area. Not huge…read morebut a lovely brief rest and stretch.