“Petrified Forest is less a park and more a time machine, where fallen trees have turned to stone and the desert holds its breath for 200 million years.”
$14.99
Petrified Forest National Park Scenic Drive Tour
Petrified Forest National Park Tours – Best Self-Guided Driving Tour
Tour Intro
Two hundred million years ago…this wasn’t a desert.
It was a lush forest of towering trees—alive, green, and thriving.
Today, those trees are stone.
Welcome to Petrified Forest National Park, one of the most surreal landscapes in the American Southwest.
On this immersive Petrified Forest National Park tours experience, you’ll drive through 28 miles of colorful badlands, ancient fossil beds, and archaeological sites—where deep time, human history, and geology collide.
This isn’t just another stop on your road trip or a quick list of things to do in Petrified Forest National Park.
It’s a story-driven journey through a world where forests turned to crystal, ancient people left messages in stone, and one of America’s most unusual national parks was saved just in time.
Along the way, you’ll discover:
How a tropical forest transformed into quartz crystal over millions of years
The destructive era of gem hunters—and the fight to protect the forest
The strange “curse” that haunts stolen petrified wood
Ancient pueblos and petroglyphs from people who lived here centuries ago
The Painted Desert’s surreal colors shaped by volcanoes and time
One of the darkest night skies in North America
Drive at your own pace. Stop when you want.
No crowds. No rushing.
Just you… and 230 million years of history.
Why This Tour is Different
There are plenty of Petrified Forest National Park tours—but most barely scratch the surface.
This one goes deeper.
You’ll experience:
A story-driven journey, not just stops on a map
The science behind petrified wood explained simply and clearly
Real human stories—from ancient Puebloans to Route 66 travelers
The flexibility of a self-guided experience
A deeper connection to what you’re seeing
This isn’t just sightseeing.
It’s understanding the place.
Tour Highlights / What You'll See
This Petrified Forest National Park driving tour is packed with unforgettable stops—but more importantly, unforgettable experiences.
Painted Desert Overlooks (Tiponi, Tawa, Pintado Points)
Stand on the edge of a vast, colorful landscape where every stripe tells a story of ancient rivers, volcanic eruptions, and shifting climates over millions of years.
Painted Desert Inn
Step inside a historic Route 66 landmark filled with Native American art and stories—where ancient culture meets early American road travel.
Route 66 Historic Site
See the remains of the “Mother Road” cutting through the park, complete with a rusted Studebaker that symbolizes the great American migration west.
Puerco Pueblo & Newspaper Rock
Walk through a 650-year-old village and view hundreds of petroglyphs carved into stone—proof that this land has been home to thriving communities for centuries.
The Tepees & Blue Mesa
Drive into a landscape that feels like another planet—striped hills in blue, purple, and red, constantly reshaped by wind and rain.
Crystal Forest
Get up close to petrified logs filled with quartz and amethyst—some shattered long ago by gem hunters, others still intact and glowing in the sunlight.
Agate Bridge
See a massive petrified log suspended across a gully like a natural bridge—a rare geological formation shaped by erosion.
Jasper Forest
Look out over one of the largest concentrations of petrified wood in the park, scattered across the desert like fallen giants.
Rainbow Forest & Giant Logs Trail
End your journey among some of the largest petrified trees in the park—massive trunks that once stood over 200 feet tall.
Price:
$14.99
Tour Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is this tour?
A GPS-guided Petrified Forest National Park driving tour that plays automatically as you drive.
How long does the tour take?
About 1–3 hours depending on how many stops you make.
Where does the tour start?
At the Painted Desert Visitor Center off Interstate 40.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Download the tour in advance and use it without service.
Is this one of the best things to do in Petrified Forest National Park?
Absolutely—this is one of the most complete and immersive ways to experience the park.