Petrified Forest National Park does not have campground facilities, and overnight parking is not allowed.
Backpack camping is allowed within the Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, requiring, at minimum, a 1 mile hike away from two designated parking spots. A free backcountry permit is available from one of the visitor centers during park hours. Permits may not be attained in advance and must be acquired at least 1 hour before park closing. Park hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. MST in winter and 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. MST in summer.
The following are popular camping options outside the park. The list is not all inclusive, and the National Park Service does not endorse the use of any of the following facilities.
Outside the south entrance of the park, at the junction of the park road and Highway 180, two privately owned gift shops allow overnight parking in their parking lots.
Off Interstate 40, about 18 miles west of the north entrance to the park, Sun Valley has the “Root 66 RV Park” with hook-ups.
In Holbrook, 26 miles west of the park, there is both a KOA and a Good Sam’s RV park (the OK RV Park). For more information about places to stay, contact the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce at (800) 524-2459 or write them at 100 E. Arizona, Holbrook, AZ 86025.
Explore camping opportunities at Arizona State Parks.
Near Gallup, New Mexico, 1 hour east of the park, is Red Rock State Park, with a campground and facilities.
For more primitive camping, Rock Art Ranch, 20 miles east of Holbrook or 13 miles west of Winslow, and accessed via 10+ miles of unimproved road, allows overnight stays at the top of a narrow canyon famous for its collection of petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings). This is a very special place where only pictures should be taken and hands kept off the walls. The canyon has water running year round and is a true oasis in this parched land. A toilet and shade shelter are provided at the camping area. Reservations must be made in advance as this is private land and access is denied without the owner’s permission. The number to contact is (928)288-3260 or (928) 386-5047.
