Special programs will be offered throughout the year! Check the searchable Calendar, as well as our social media pages.
Ranger Guided Programs are available seasonally and as staffing allows, but our staff is always roving the park. Keep an eye out for roving rangers in popular areas like Puerco Pueblo, Crystal Forest, and Giant Logs for on-the-spot information.
July Programs and Events
Every Wednesday in July (July 5, 12, 19, and 26) Anytime between 11am–3pm
Paleontology lab demonstration
Painted Desert Visitor Center complex
Science is active and ongoing at Petrified Forest National Park! Follow signs at Painted Desert Visitor Center that lead to the park’s ‘paleo lab’ where you can interact with park scientists working on real Triassic-era fossils.
Saturday July 8, 7am–2pm
Hands-on Biology: Reptiles and Amphibians
Contact Petrified Forest Field Institute
This program is offered by Petrified Forest Field Institute and an additional fee is required; see http://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ for additional information. Visit several live trapping sites for lizards, snakes, and amphibians with the park biologist. You will assist in long-term monitoring by assisting in removing animals from the traps, then marking, measuring, and releasing them. You will also explore the park and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Saturday July 8, 9am–1pm
Young Paleontologist’s Fossil Exploration
Contact Petrified Forest Field Institute
This program is offered by Petrified Forest Field Institute and an additional fee is required; see http://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ for additional information. This class is designed for kids that want to learn about Triassic fossils and the work of paleontologists. Play, learn, and get hands-on digging for and identifying real and replica fossils.
Friday July 14 & Saturday July 15, 10am to evening each day
Holbrook Wild West Days
Holbrook, AZ
You’re invited to the celebration of Holbrook's Wild West history! Look for Petrified Forest National Park’s booth during the festivities in our gateway town, where our park’s artist in residence will be showcasing his oil paintings. See https://www.facebook.com/WWDHolbrook/ for more information.
August Programs and Events
Monday August 21, 10am–1pm
Solar Eclipse
Throughout the park
Enjoy a substantial, partial solar eclipse from Petrified Forest National Park! The park’s location means we will experience a 65% eclipse of the sun at its apex. Free handouts and solar eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last) will be available at Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Visitor Center & Museum.
Every Wednesday (August 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30), anytime between 11am–3pm
Paleontology lab demonstration
Painted Desert Visitor Center complex
Science is active and ongoing at Petrified Forest National Park! Follow signs at Painted Desert Visitor Center that lead to the park’s ‘paleo lab’ where you can interact with park scientists working on real Triassic-era fossils.
Friday August 25, all day
Fee-free day
Throughout the park
Celebrate the National Park Service’s 101st birthday with free entry into Petrified Forest National Park (and all other National Parks throughout the country). Enjoy the gift of your public lands!
Petrified Forest Field Institute Programs
The programs below are offered by Petrified Forest Field Institute and an additional fee is required; see http://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ for additional information.
Saturday August 12 & Saturday August 19, 8am–4:30pm
Fossil Dig: Discovery and Excavation
Prepare to get dirty digging in the Triassic Chinle Formation for fossil bones of giant amphibians, reptiles, and even early dinosaurs! Join the park paleontologist for an introduction to real paleontology field work.
Friday August 18, 7pm–12am
Hands-on Biology: Reptiles and Amphibians (Nighttime)
Only after the park closes and the roads are clear can you see many of the reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds that move, hunt, and breed after dark. Join a park biologist for hands-on experience with park reptiles and amphibians, gathering data and moving animals off the road along the way.
Saturday August 26, 8am–12pm
Ancient Logs & Lost Landscapes
Petrified Forest National Park is a genuine gateway to an understanding of Earth’s long and amazing history. Join Arizona Highways photographer and geologist Gary Ladd for a look at the local geologic story and how it fits into Earth’s evolution over 4,600 million years.
Junior Rangers speak with Ranger Lauren
NPS
Daily Fun
Daily
Find Your Park
findyourpark.com/share
Anytime
Celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial by sharing your own story! Browse the official Find Your Park website for inspiration, then upload your own song, photo, painting, poem, dance, video – anything you’d like to share about your visit.
Daily
Geocaching
Selected locations throughout the park
During park hours
Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking virtual ‘treasure’, and anyone with a GPS device can play! There are several self-guided geocaches at Petrified Forest National Park where a hidden container can be found and a log book signed. For more information on geocaching, visit Geocaching.com.
Daily
Junior Ranger Program
Pick up a booklet at any park Visitor Center
During park hours
Junior Rangers explore, learn about, and protect their national parks! Fun activities engage young visitors at Petrified Forest and are rewarded with a badge and patch by finishing this booklet.
Daily
Junior Paleontologist Program
Pick up a booklet at any park Visitor Center
During park hours
Explore the ways paleontologists work, learn about Earth's history, and protect our national parks, including fossils and the rocks in which they are found! Earn a special paleontology badge by finishing this booklet.
Daily
Painted Desert Inn Tour
Painted Desert Inn
Anytime between 9am—4pm
Painted Desert Inn is a beautiful building with rich history and stunning views to boot. Ask any staff member in the building to give you a brief, personal tour during your visit, and if they can they will!
Daily (as scheduling allows)
Cultural Demonstrations
Painted Desert Inn
Anytime between 10am—4pm
A cultural demonstrator with ancestral ties to the area shares engaging skills and traditions. Stop by and enjoy!
Dig with a paleontologist
NPS
Field Institute
Petrified Forest Field Institute is proud to offer guided tours and field classes exploring fun and compelling subjects lead by world class guides and experts.
In the Artist-in-Residence Program selected artists spend time living and working in the park, sharing their experiences with visitors.
Navajo rug weavers
NPS
Cultural Demonstrators
The park hosts regional cultural demonstrators throughout the year, coordinated by the park's partner Petrified Forest Museum Association. Visit with the demonstrators at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark (2 miles from the north entrance of the park) between 10am and 4pm. Calendar is available here.
