Have you ever seen a tree turned into stone? In Arizona, there is a national park where millions of years ago, real trees slowly turned into colorful, shiny rocks. This place is called the Petrified Forest National Park, and it’s one of the most amazing natural wonders in the United States.
In this article, we’ll tell you:
- What makes this park special
- What to see and do there
- How to get there by car from Sacramento
- Where to take the best photos
What Is the Petrified Forest?
The Petrified Forest is a desert area in northeastern Arizona, filled with ancient trees that turned into stone over 200 million years ago. These trees were once alive, growing in a wet forest during the time of the dinosaurs. But after they fell, they were buried by ash and mud, and over time, minerals replaced the wood — turning the trees into colorful fossils.
Now, the landscape is full of broken stone logs that shine in the sun. They are red, orange, blue, and even purple. It feels like walking on another planet!
Things to See in the Park
There are two main areas of the park: the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest.
1. Painted Desert
The Painted Desert looks like a giant canvas of pink, purple, and red hills. These soft, colorful layers were formed from ash and rock over millions of years. The views are breathtaking, especially at sunrise or sunset.
📸 Best photo spots: Tiponi Point, Chinde Point, and Kachina Point.
2. Petrified Wood
This is the part where you’ll see the famous stone trees. Some are small and broken, others are huge and lie like fallen giants. You can walk among them and even touch them (but don’t take pieces home — it’s illegal!).
📍 Popular trails: Crystal Forest, Giant Logs Trail, and Blue Mesa Trail.
3. Petroglyphs and Ancient History
The park is also home to rock carvings made by Native Americans over 1,000 years ago. At Newspaper Rock and Puerco Pueblo, you can see symbols and drawings that tell old stories.
How to Get There from Sacramento
Driving from Sacramento, California to Petrified Forest National Park takes about 13–14 hours (approximately 900 miles). It’s a long trip, but perfect for a road adventure!
Recommended Route:
- Take I-5 South to I-10 East
- Then follow I-40 East through Flagstaff, Arizona
- Exit at Holbrook, and follow signs to the park entrance
You can stay overnight in Flagstaff or Holbrook if you want to break up the trip.
🛣 Pro tip: Stop at Route 66 attractions along the way — the Petrified Forest is the only national park that includes a part of the famous Route 66 highway.
Best Places for Photos
This park is a dream for photographers! Here are some of the top photo locations:
- Blue Mesa – Crazy layers of blue, gray, and purple hills
- Crystal Forest – Bright, sparkling petrified logs in every direction
- Painted Desert Inn – A historic building with great views
- Sunset at Kachina Point – When the sky turns pink and the desert glows
📷 Bring a wide-angle lens and plenty of water — it’s dry and hot!
When to Visit
The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) when the temperatures are mild.
In summer, it can get very hot (over 100°F or 38°C), so if you visit then, go early in the morning.
💡 Visitor tip: There’s no camping inside the park, but there are hotels and motels in nearby towns.
Fun Facts
- The petrified wood is made mostly of quartz, the same mineral in glass and sand.
- Some logs are over 9 feet wide and 100 feet long!
- The park also has dinosaur fossils, including teeth and bones.
- It’s a dark sky park, meaning you can see tons of stars at night!
Is It Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. If you love nature, colors, geology, or history, you’ll be amazed by the Petrified Forest. It’s quiet, magical, and unlike any other place in the world.
Even kids enjoy it — they can walk short trails, spot lizards, and learn about dinosaurs.
Final Tips for Your Trip
✅ Bring sunscreen and a hat — it’s very sunny
✅ Wear good walking shoes
✅ Carry water — at least 1 liter per person
✅ Don’t climb on logs or take rocks
✅ Download a park map ahead of time (cell service is weak)
A trip to Arizona’s Petrified Forest is like a walk through ancient time. With stone trees, painted hills, and quiet desert views, it’s the perfect getaway from busy city life. Whether you're a photographer, a family on vacation, or a road trip fan, this park will surprise and inspire you.