Drive the Petrified Forest at your own pace with a GPS-triggered audio guide that narrates geology, cultural history, and best viewpoints. Download the tour for offline playback and build a half- or full-day loop through Painted Desert overlooks, Blue Mesa and the Giant Logs.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Pull off the highway and the land opens like a slow-motion reveal: banded badlands glow in rust and cream, scattered logs of glassy stone lie like shipwrecks across a desert plain, and the wind keeps its own steady counsel.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4–6 hours (self-paced loop)
Fitness Level
Light activity; suitable for most fitness levels since most stops are short walks from parking areas
Wildlife
History
The park preserves Late Triassic fossil forests and sits on ancestral lands used by Puebloan peoples and modern Hopi and Navajo communities; exhibits at the visitor center contextualize both paleontology and human history.
Conservation
Trailheads and pullouts concentrate visitor impact—stick to designated paths, pack out trash, and do not collect geological or cultural materials to protect the park’s scientific value.
Reserve your spot on the Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you go
Download the Shaka Guide tour and the offline map on Wi‑Fi—cell service in the park is unreliable.
Start early
Begin before 11:00 a.m. to avoid peak heat and to secure parking at popular pullouts.
Carry water and shade
Bring at least 1–2 liters per person and a wide-brim hat—exposure and reflected heat are real concerns.
Respect the resource
Do not remove petrified wood, fossils, or cultural artifacts—these are protected by federal law.
Smartphone with Shaka Guide app
Required to run the GPS-triggered audio narration and offline maps.
Reusable water bottle or hydration pack
Keeps you hydrated in the park’s dry climate and high daytime temperatures.
summer
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF)
Desert sun and reflected heat make sun protection essential for comfort and safety.
summer
Light wind/rain jacket
Spring storms and cool mornings can be unexpected; a packable jacket adds comfort.
spring