Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is open year round except November 25 and December 25.
Petrified Forest National Park may be open at different hours during the year. Remember that times are Mountain Standard year round-this area does not observe Daylight Saving.

 

Park Road Hours

Park hours are 8am to 5pm. You must enter the park before 5pm.

Visitors will need to be in their vehicle by 5pm, heading to the closest exit without stopping. Blue Mesa is the halfway point. If you are south of this point by 5pm, leave by the south gate. If you are north, leave by the north gate.Visitors must be through the entrance stations by 5pm. You may recreate in the park until 5pm. At 5pm, you are expected to be in your vehicles heading to an exit without stopping.

Bathrooms throughout the park remain open.

Backcountry campers still need to get their permits by 4pm.

 

Visitor Centers and Museum Hours
Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center
8am to 5pm

Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark Hours
Closed until further notice

 

Note: Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, remaining on Mountain Standard Time year-round. For example, in the summer months, during Daylight Saving Time, the time in Arizona and California is the same, with New Mexico and the Navajo Reservation one hour ahead.