What RV Renters Know
- Petrified Forest National Park entrance is 18 miles east — 225-million-year-old fossilized wood
- Painted Desert overlooks along SR-180/US-40: rust, lavender, and orange badlands at sunrise
- Wigwam Motel (National Historic Landmark): concrete teepee-shaped rooms operating since 1950
- Petrified wood is abundant in the park but cannot be removed — possession is a federal offense
- High-desert setting at 5,100 ft — spring and fall are ideal; summer stays under 95°F
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there RV camping inside Petrified Forest National Park?
No. Petrified Forest National Park is a day-use-only park with no campground. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit (walk-in only, must hike at least 1 mile from the road), but this is tent camping only. RVs must camp outside the park — Holbrook has several options 18 miles west on I-40.
Can you drive through Petrified Forest National Park in an RV?
Yes. The 28-mile park road has pullouts and overlooks accessible to all vehicle sizes. Length restrictions apply at some overlook parking areas but the main road is passable. The Painted Desert Rim Trail and Crystal Forest Trail are short paved walks accessible from parking areas. Plan 3–4 hours for the full drive with stops.
What else is near Holbrook besides Petrified Forest?
The Painted Desert stretches north from the park into Navajo land with dramatic badland colors. Petrified wood dealers in Holbrook sell legally collected private-land specimens at low prices. The Navajo County Historical Museum is free and covers regional history. Winslow (35 miles west) adds the Homolovi ruins and Route 66 scene.