All parks › Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle, 7 days
- $25[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- June[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 315,951[3]
- Visitor centers
- 3[4]
Petrified Forest National Park is a National Park System unit in Arizona[5]. NPS lists a $25 private vehicle entrance fee, and the fee is cashless[1][6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Private Vehicle[1] | $25 |
| Per Person[7] | $15 |
| Motorcycle[8] | $20 |
| Non-commercial Groups[9] | $15 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[10] | $45 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[11].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[6].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[12] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[12] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[12] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[12] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[12] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[12] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS describes the park as semi-arid grassland, with temperatures from above 100° F to well below freezing[13]. Snow is infrequent in winter, and summer thunderstorms can be dramatic[13]. In 2025 the busiest month was June with 43,435 recreation visits, and May had 40,286[2]. February had 11,158 visits, the fewest of any month with visits that year[2]. NPS lists Park Road hours as changeable because of weather or safety issues[14]. The park is listed as closed on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026, and on Christmas, December 25, 2026[14]. Check the forecast before you arrive[13].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 21,962 |
| February | 11,158 |
| March | 21,375 |
| April | 28,333 |
| May | 40,286 |
| June | 43,435 |
| July | 38,883 |
| August | 32,454 |
| September | 28,771 |
| October | 0 |
| November | 18,187 |
| December | 31,107 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS pet rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or shorter where pets are allowed[15]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted[15]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 13 of its 15 listed things to do, and each park can close more areas to pets[16][15].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[6].
- A private vehicle entrance fee is $25 and is valid for 7 days[1].
- The park's annual pass costs $45[10]. The park also accepts the America the Beautiful pass[11].
- The Resident Annual Pass costs $80 and the Senior Annual Pass costs $20, as listed by NPS[12].
- NPS lists 3 visitor centers[4]. Fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Petrified Forest National Park?
- NPS lists $25 for a private vehicle, $20 for a motorcycle and $15 per person for visitors without a motor vehicle[1][8][7]. Youth 15 and under are admitted free on foot or bike, per the NPS note[7].
- Does Petrified Forest accept cash?
- NPS says entrance fees are cashless, so plan on a card or mobile payment[6].
- Does the America the Beautiful pass work here?
- Yes, the park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[11]. The Resident Annual Pass is listed by NPS at $80[12].
- Are dogs allowed at Petrified Forest National Park?
- Where pets are allowed, they must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or shorter[15]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 13 of 15 things to do, and parks can close more areas to pets[16][15].
- What is the busiest month at Petrified Forest?
- In 2025 the busiest month was June, with 43,435 NPS recreation visits[2].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $25. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 590,334, 2022: 505,209, 2023: 520,491, 2024: 559,254, 2025: 315,951. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 3 (Painted Desert Visitor Center, Rainbow Forest Museum, Painted Desert Inn). National Park Service
- Petrified Forest National Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Park) in Arizona. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Petrified Forest National Park are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $15. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $20. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Non-commercial Groups: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $45. National Park Service
- Petrified Forest National Park accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Petrified Forest National Park. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Park Road Hours: Park Road hours of operation may change due to weather or safety issues. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Listed exceptions: Park Closed Thanksgiving. 2026-11-26 to 2026-11-26; Park Closed Christmas. 2026-12-25 to... National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 15 things to do at Petrified Forest National Park: Peek into the Paleo Lab, Go Bicycling, Collect Your Cancellation Stamps, Walk Long Logs Trail, Walk the Tawa Trail, Enjoy Horseback Riding, Walk the Painted Desert Rim Trail, Walk Puerco Pueblo... National Park Service