Welcome to the Petrified Forest Driving Tour
“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. This isn’t just a fossil field. It’s a forest frozen mid-metamorphosis, where the land tells its story in stone.
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.
Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the making of this tour. Nature did the hard work over 200 million years. Just don’t pocket a souvenir unless you want a fossilized conscience.
NOTE: Entrance passes are required for all visitors. Please click on entrance fees to know more.
Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:
- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Petrified Forest National Park Map
Where To Start?
Recommended Starting Point:
Northbound: 6492 Petrified Forest Rd
Southbound: Painted Desert Visitor Center
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all 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 not yet supported. We are working with Apple for a resolution.
- 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.
Audio Story Highlights
-
Welcome
-
Tiponi Point
-
Painted Desert Rim Trail
-
Painted Desert Inn
-
Pintado Point
-
Erosion in the Forest
-
Nizhoni Point & Whipple Point
-
Crystal Forest
-
Geologic Formations
-
Prehistoric People
-
Tribes of the Petrified Forest
-
Newspaper Rock
-
Historic Route 66
-
Kokopelli
-
The Tepees
-
Historic Blue Forest Trail
-
What Is Petrified Wood?
-
Blue Mesa Trail
-
Agate Bridge
-
Jasper Forest
-
John Muir’s Influence
-
Paleontology
-
How Petrified Forest Became a National Park
-
Hardy Flora
-
Rainbow Forest Museum & Surrounding Trails
-
The Curse of the Petrified Forest
-
Dark Sky Viewing
Preview The Tour
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 by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
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 wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
