Petrified Forest National Park RV Rental Guide

Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona preserves one of the world's largest concentrations of petrified wood — 225-million-year-old logs turned to crystal by silica replacement, scattered across a painted desert landscape in brilliant reds, purples, blues, and yellows. The park's 28-mile scenic drive is fully paved and accessible to RVs of all sizes, with no difficult terrain or size restrictions. Unlike many Arizona wilderness parks, Petrified Forest can be done as a satisfying day trip from I-40 or as a base camp destination using Holbrook (15 miles west) as the RV hub. The Painted Desert section in the northern part of the park is one of the most photographed badlands landscapes in the Southwest.

VenuePetrified Forest National Park, 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028 — two entrances on I-40 (north) and US-180 (south), near Holbrook, AZ
DatesYear-round national park. Best seasons: March–May and September–November. Summer (June–August) is hot (90–95°F) but manageable with early starts. Winter conditions (frost, occasional snow) add dramatic color to the painted desert.
Book Your RVNo in-park RV camping with hookups (Crystal Forest Museum area has primitive overnight parking). Holbrook RV parks: 2–4 weeks ahead for peak season.

RV Tips for Petrified Forest National Park

  1. Holbrook (15 miles west on I-40) is the RV hub for Petrified Forest — OK RV Park and several I-40 corridor parks offer full hookups
  2. The 28-mile park road runs north-to-south with two entrances — enter from I-40 (Painted Desert Inn/Visitor Center) and exit US-180, or reverse
  3. All RV sizes are welcome on the main park road — pullouts are wide and manageable
  4. No petrified wood may be removed from the park — federal offense; the gift shops sell legally sourced petrified wood from private lands
  5. Combine with Winslow, AZ (30 miles west): the famous 'Standin' on a Corner' Route 66 landmark and La Posada Hotel
  6. Meteor Crater (35 miles west) is worth the side trip — the best-preserved meteorite impact crater on Earth, privately operated

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my Class A motorhome through Petrified Forest?

Yes. The 28-mile park road through Petrified Forest National Park is fully paved with no size or weight restrictions for passenger vehicles. Pullouts at all major viewpoints are wide enough for Class A coaches. The road is well-maintained and the grades are gentle. This is one of Arizona's most RV-accessible national parks.

Is there camping inside Petrified Forest National Park?

Petrified Forest has no traditional campground with hookups. There is a primitive backcountry camping zone (permit required, tent only) and a small RV/vehicle overnight area at Crystal Forest Museum. The majority of visitors base camp in Holbrook, 15 miles west — the town has multiple full-hookup RV parks specifically serving the park visitor market.

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