Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour

based on 3 reviews

Duration:6 hours (approx.)
Location: Arizona, USA

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Experience the ancient wonder of Petrified Forest National Park on our guided tour!

Our self-guided audio tour will turn your smartphone into a personal guide as it takes you on a journey through time to explore the stunning landscape of this unique national park.

Marvel at the incredible petrified wood that gives the park its name, as well as the ancient fossils and vibrant rock formations that tell the story of this area's rich geological history.

We'll share fascinating insights into the park's history and ecology, including the ancient cultures that once called this area home. With stops at multiple viewpoints and scenic overlooks, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking beauty of this one-of-a-kind national park.

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Get in the Route 66 mindset with these two old-fashioned gift shops with local handiwork, petrified wood souvenirs, and tacky dinosaur statues greeting customers out front. Painted Desert Indian Center specializes in crafts from local artists, while Stewart’s Petrified Wood Shop specializes in petrified wood products.
2.
Stop at the visitor center for a quick bathroom break! These flush toilets are the cleanest you'll find until the Rainbow Forest Museum on the other end of the park.
3.
This overlook is your first glimpse of the Painted Desert coming in from the north, with the colorful hills below you and a vast horizon beyond facing the east. Any relevant entry fees/requirements: Tiponi Point is the first stop after the north entrance booth for Petrified Forest National Park.
4.
Stand nearly surrounded by the Painted Desert below from this overlook point. The easy Painted Desert Rim trail leaves from the overlook and takes you to the next overlook, Kachina Point. The hike is one mile round trip. If you hike the trail, expect to spend a total of about 30 minutes here.
5.
The expanse of the Painted Desert is plainly viewable from the overlook, easily accessible behind the Painted Desert Inn via a short path from the parking lot.
6.
This lookout faces the Painted Desert to the north for an expansive, unobstructed view. A semi-circle of covered picnic tables is the only picnic area outside of the visitor centers.
7.
From this overlook on a clear day, you can see over 100 miles away including the San Francisco Peaks by Flagstaff, AZ.
8.
These three overlooks are close to each other and offer another expansive view of the Painted Desert, though you may find the previous lookouts more colorful.
9.
This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.
10.
Generation after generation of Ancestral Puebloans left over 650 petroglyphs on these giant boulders. The petroglyphs are a little far away, visible from an overlook and a set of binoculars, but clearly visible without assistance.
11.
These conical hills, banded with several shades of mudstones, are said to resemble Tepees. There are two pull-offs on the side of Petrified Forest Rd to park the car and get a good view--the North Pullout and the South Pullout, which is also the trailhead for the "Off the Beaten Path" Blue Forest Trail.
12.
The Blue Mesa is one of the most beautiful parts of the park, with more opportunities to discover the strange, eroded badlands. Atop the Blue Mesa, the road splits and becomes a one-way loop. Stop at the first pull-offs for a glimpse of the badlands, and the first petrified wood deposit you see coming from the north.
13.
This 1-mile loop trail is a paved path through the Blue Mesa badlands. Though rated as easy, there is an initial descent from the parking lot (and ascent as you finish) that may be difficult for those with limited mobility. A true highlight of the park, though, as it immerses visitors in a totally alien landscape.
14.
This 100-ft long petrified log sits on top of a small chasm, forming a bridge. When the park opened, visitors could stand on top of it! Today, the log is off-limits and supported by concrete, but this is a quick, easy stop for an impressively long piece of petrified wood.
15.
An overlook sits over a desert plain with a dense petrified wood deposit below. Want a closer look? Another ‘off the beaten path’ trail leads from the right of the parking lot down to the deposit following a well-worn path to the wash. Then it’s just you and the petrified wood–a truly astonishing and bizarre landscape.
16.
This 0.75-mile hike makes a loop through one of the park's major petrified wood deposits. The paved trail and mostly flat topography make for an easy hike, and one accessible for those with wheelchairs or strollers.
17.
If you only visit one visitor center in the national park, make it this one! In addition to the typical orientation video, gift shop, restrooms, and information desk, you'll find exhibits on the area's paleontology including fossils found in the park. Behind the building is the 0.4-mile Giant Logs trail, which passes some of the largest pieces of petrified wood in the park.
18.
Just south of the park’s borders are two gift shops: Petrified Forest Gift Shop and Crystal Forest Museum and Gifts. These private stores focus on last minute petrified wood souvenirs that you put off within the park. They also feature Route 66-style dinosaur statues out front.

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
• Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
• Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
• Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
• The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
• What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Denise H
31st Anniversary for me & my husband. My sister and son accompanied us. We needed a trip that was wheelchair accessible. The Painted Desert & Petrified Forest were awesome!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-13 01:01:11

Posted By : BONNIET674
It was difficult to comprehend or learn about petrified wood without a visitor center. Just starting a trail with some placards made for a boring and hot walk. We started trail and decided to just forego the admission and go somewhere else.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-07-05 23:19:56

Posted By : virginia_p
Didn’t work. Dont buy it. Awful. Waste of money. If you but it you’ll be sorry cause it didn’t eork. Horribly wrong. Bad. Awful. Mistake to buy. Don’t
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-18 11:34:22

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Tickets

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Driving Tour

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WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

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ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY