Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour
Kingman, US
33% of travellers recommend this
Highlights
- Audio guided tour with fascinating stories and music
- Explore ancient petrified wood and fossils
- Scenic overlooks with breathtaking views
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
- No expiration date for tours
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Self-guided audio tour
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Duration 6 hours
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Works offline
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Explore at your own pace
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Multiple starting points
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Family-friendly experience
Embark on a captivating journey through time with our Petrified Forest National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour! Explore the mesmerizing landscape of this unique park with our audio tour that brings the ancient wonders of petrified wood, fossils, and rock formations to life. Take in the stunning views from scenic overlooks and learn about the park's rich history and ecology. With the freedom to explore at your own pace, this tour is perfect for adventurers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to uncover the secrets of this extraordinary national park.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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6 hours
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Wheelchair accessible
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Mobile voucher
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Private Tour
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Discover the ancient beauty of Petrified Forest National Park with a flexible self-guided driving tour, featuring engaging audio narration and stunning landscapes.
Included
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Tours never expire -
Offline audio guided tour: hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
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Offline map (map and gps work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
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Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
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Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
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Turn-by-turn directions using gps
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Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
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Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Excluded
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Meals and refreshment -
Parking fees
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Entrance fees
What to expect
Route 66 Gifts & Souvenir Shop
Get in the Route 66 mindset with these two old-fashioned gift shops with local handiwork, petrified wood souvenirs, and tacky dinosaur statues greeting customers out front. Painted Desert Indian Center specializes in crafts from local artists, while Stewart’s Petrified Wood Shop specializes in petrified wood products.
15 minutes
Painted 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 Not Included
Tiponi Point
This overlook is your first glimpse of the Painted Desert coming in from the north, with the colorful hills below you and a vast horizon beyond facing the east. Any relevant entry fees/requirements: Tiponi Point is the first stop after the north entrance booth for Petrified Forest National Park.
15 minutes
Tawa Point
Stand nearly surrounded by the Painted Desert below from this overlook point. The easy Painted Desert Rim trail leaves from the overlook and takes you to the next overlook, Kachina Point. The hike is one mile round trip. If you hike the trail, expect to spend a total of about 30 minutes here.
30 minutes
Kachina 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
Chinde Point
This lookout faces the Painted Desert to the north for an expansive, unobstructed view. A semi-circle of covered picnic tables is the only picnic area outside of the visitor centers.
15 minutes
Pintado Point
From this overlook on a clear day, you can see over 100 miles away including the San Francisco Peaks by Flagstaff, AZ.
15 minutes
Nizhoni Point
These three overlooks are close to each other and offer another expansive view of the Painted Desert, though you may find the previous lookouts more colorful.
15 minutes
Puerco Pueblo
This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.
15 minutes
Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument
Generation after generation of Ancestral Puebloans left over 650 petroglyphs on these giant boulders. The petroglyphs are a little far away, visible from an overlook and a set of binoculars, but clearly visible without assistance.
15 minutes
The 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
Blue 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
Blue Mesa Trailhead
This 1-mile loop trail is a paved path through the Blue Mesa badlands. Though rated as easy, there is an initial descent from the parking lot (and ascent as you finish) that may be difficult for those with limited mobility. A true highlight of the park, though, as it immerses visitors in a totally alien landscape.
30 minutes
Agate 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
Jasper 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
Crystal 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
Rainbow 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.
60 minutes
Petrified Forest Gift Shop
Just south of the park’s borders are two gift shops: Petrified Forest Gift Shop and Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts. These private stores focus on last minute petrified wood souvenirs that you put off within the park. They also feature Route 66-style dinosaur statues out front.
15 minutes
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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Wheelchair accessible -
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Service animals allowed
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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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The tour has three starting points, including I-40 eastbound and westbound, and Route 180 of Holbrook, AZ.
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Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
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Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
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Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
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Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
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Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
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The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
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What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
What our experts say
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Download the app on Wi-Fi first. -
Start early to avoid crowds.
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Don't miss the Rainbow Forest Museum.
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Bring water and snacks for the drive.
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Wear comfortable walking shoes.
More About this Experience
Introduction
Embark on a journey through time and nature with the Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour. This unique experience will immerse you in the ancient wonder of the park, showcasing its stunning landscape and rich geological history.What to expect?
With this self-guided audio tour, you can expect to marvel at the incredible petrified wood, ancient fossils, and vibrant rock formations that make up the park. Learn about the park's history, ecology, and the ancient cultures that once inhabited this area. Enjoy multiple stops at scenic overlooks for breathtaking views and photo opportunities.Who is this for?
This tour is perfect for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique and educational outdoor experience. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this tour offers something for everyone to enjoy and explore at their own pace.Why book this?
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Petrified Forest National Park with this self-guided driving tour. Experience the convenience of turning your smartphone into a personal guide, providing you with hours of audio narration, offline maps, and recommendations for activities and restaurants. Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace and choose the stops that interest you the most.Good to know
Before embarking on this tour, be sure to factor in the Petrified Forest National Park fee of $25, which is good for seven days. Additionally, remember to plan for any parking fees that may apply. With the freedom to start the tour whenever it suits you best, you can enjoy a hassle-free and flexible exploration of this unique national park.Reviews
Travelers who have experienced the Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour rave about the convenience and educational value of the audio tour. Visitors appreciate the detailed insights into the park's history and geology, as well as the stunning views from the scenic overlooks. Overall, guests have been highly satisfied with their experience and recommend this tour for anyone looking to discover the wonders of Petrified Forest National Park.
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