“Time turns wood to stone and stories to silence.”
In the heart of Arizona lies a desert that defies time. Over 200 million years ago, mighty trees once towered here. Today, they lie still, transformed into glittering crystal logs by volcanic ash, pressure, and the passage of time. You aren’t just looking at fossils; you are walking through a forest that traded its bark for crystal and its leaves for silence.
Why visit? Because it’s one of the few places on Earth where you can walk through a forest older than the dinosaurs, radiant with color. Because you’ll see painted hills that look like watercolor dreams. Because the silence here is heavy, and every rock whispers secrets from the dawn of life as we know it.
The best part? This self-guided driving tour lets you explore Petrified Forest National Park at your own pace. No group. No guide. Just you, your wheels, and GPS-triggered stories that unfold automatically as you go.
Start in the surreal Painted Desert, where red, pink, and lavender badlands stretch to the horizon. Stop at Puerco Pueblo, home to ancient petroglyphs and a solar calendar carved in stone. Hear tales of the trickster coyote and the ancestral Puebloans who watched the same desert skies centuries ago.
Don’t miss the Tepees, cone-shaped hills of blue and purple clay. Walk the Blue Mesa Trail, where badlands meet scattered petrified logs in a prehistoric dreamscape. Then, step into the Crystal Forest, where once-living trees now glitter like gemstones. Finally, pause at the Rainbow Forest, a museum and trailhead where knowledge and wonder collide.
Fair warning: The desert sun is no joke, and neither is the ‘Curse of the Petrified Forest.’ Bring water, sunscreen, and leave souvenirs behind (illegal + rumored bad luck). Come for history. Stay because the colors won’t let you go.
Download the Petrified National Park Trip Planner for more details on how to reach the park, must-see stops, best places to stay, when to visit, activities to do, packing tips, and more!
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Know Before You Go
Nearby Tours
Driving
55+/Entrance Stories
3 - 4 Hrs
Driving
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2 - 3 Hrs
Walking
10 Stories
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Driving
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Driving
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Petrified Forest National Park Map
Where To Start?
Recommended Starting Point:
(The tour begins near the Painted Desert Visitor Center on Park Road. As you approach, you’ll see the visitor center on your right. Please note, this is a suggested starting point. We are not affiliated with the visitor center or any businesses in the area, so their staff will not have information about this tour.)
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Petrified Forest Audio Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
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Welcome
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Tiponi Point
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Painted Desert Rim Trail
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Painted Desert Inn
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Pintado Point
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Erosion in the Forest
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Nizhoni Point & Whipple Point
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Crystal Forest
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Geologic Formations
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Prehistoric People
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Tribes of the Petrified Forest
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Newspaper Rock
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Historic Route 66
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Kokopelli
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The Tepees
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Historic Blue Forest Trail
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What Is Petrified Wood?
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Blue Mesa Trail
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Agate Bridge
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Jasper Forest
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John Muir’s Influence
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Paleontology
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How Petrified Forest Became a National Park
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Hardy Flora
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Rainbow Forest Museum & Surrounding Trails
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The Curse of the Petrified Forest
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Dark Sky Viewing
Preview The Tour
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
