This is the Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park entices tourists who are mostly on a Southwest USA road trip with its fossilized trees as old as 225 million years. During my own month of southern USA vanlife tour, I drove through this Arizona national park in late February, which had sunny days and moderately chilly nights.

The weather at Petrified Forest National Park can range from blistering summer heat to chilly winter temperatures. So, here’s a snapshot of the visitor seasons at Petrified Forest: 

• Peak Season: May to August
• Shoulder Seasons: March to May & September to November 
• Off-Peak Season: November to February

Below, I will also provide more details about each season, highlight any special events you might want to participate in, and a monthly weather rundown. Whether you’re planning a day trip to Petrified Forest or a longer stay, seeing the petroglyphs, or driving the park loop, these are the best times to visit Petrified Forest National Park.

Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park

Best Season to Visit

Spring and fall are the most recommended seasons for the park because of the nice temperature, little rainfall, and fewer crowds. The winter months can be cold but still manageable in the daytime. 

Since this park is not big and the hikes are not long, most people spend the bulk of the daytime driving through the park and doing mini hikes to see the colored petrified wood and the Badlands landscape. So even though spring and fall are best, this is really a good all-year-round park to visit.

Best Time for Good Weather

For the most pleasant weather, late spring and early fall are amazing. Expect warm, sunny days with average daytime temperatures ranging from 70°F to 80°F, perfect for exploring the park’s geology. It won’t be too hot for hiking or too cold once the sun sets. 

Best Time for Smaller Crowds

For smaller crowds, the least visited months are during the winter season. Snow and rain occur throughout the winter, from as early as October to as late as March. The park sees significantly fewer visitors compared to the warmer months, primarily because of the cold.

Best Time for Lower Prices

If you’re budget-conscious, the most affordable time is during the off-peak season, from November to March. During these colder months, accommodation and travel costs are lower, with hotel rates dropping by up to 30%.

Worst Time to Visit

The worst time to visit Petrified Forest National Park is arguably the summer season, specifically in July and August. Although it may be when most visitors visit, these months are the hottest and wettest due to afternoon storms. 

Summer attracts the most tourists, leading to crowded trails and viewing points.

But, if you’re not a fan of the cold, the deep winter also frequently dips below freezing and occasional snowfall, which makes hiking more challenging.

Park Closures

Petrified Forest National Park is a year-round destination, generally open from 8 am to 5 pm daily, with extended hours during the summer season. The park is open from 7 am until 7:30 pm in the summer.

The park closes for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Seasons at Petrified Forest National Park

Spring (March – June)

Spring is hands down the best time to go! The weather is just perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, with temperatures ranging from a comfy 70°F in March to a toasty 90°F in June.

The park is bursting with wildflowers, and the wildlife is more active. The days are also longer, with the sun setting later.

Spring weather can be a bit unpredictable, so be prepared for occasional rainstorms. Plus, the trails are yet to be full of other tourists.

Summer (June – August)

Summer at Petrified Forest National Park is all about scorching hot days and tons of visitors. It can get crazy hot, with temperatures soaring above 100°F (38°C), so exploring during the day can be a real workout. 

Summer is monsoon season. It can put a damper on hiking and other outdoor activities, plus there’s a risk of flash floods. These afternoon storms are pretty common, especially in July and August.

Since it’s summer vacation and school breaks, this place gets packed with tourists. Trails, visitor centers, and lookout points are all crowded.

But, the nights are beautiful for stargazing under the desert sky, and camping is a popular thing to do on those warm evenings.

Fall (September – November)

Fall is a great time to check out Petrified Forest National Park. The scorching summer heat starts to ease up, with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F. 

As autumn rolls in, the crowds thin out, but towards the end of November, it might get busier for Thanksgiving. The park is relatively dry after the monsoon season, but don’t be surprised if there are occasional showers. And remember, it can get pretty chilly at night!

Winter (December – February)

Winter at Petrified Forest National Park is serene, albeit a bit chilly. The temperature ranges from around 50°F in December to a low of 25°F in February. Sometimes, it even snows, but it usually melts pretty fast.

Just be careful if you’re hiking because the trails can get icy. The good news is that there are way fewer people during the winter, so you’ll have more unobstructed views. 

While the park remains open, operating hours are typically reduced in winter due to shorter daylight hours.

Petrified Forest Weather By Month

Based on the weather information provided on the National Park Service website, here is a table that summarizes the average low and high temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall for Petrified Forest National Park by month:

Month	Average Low (°F)	Average High (°F)	Average Precipitation (inches)	Snowfall (inches)
January	21	48	0.65	2.3
February	25	55	0.59	1.9
March	29	62	0.80	1.3
April	35	70	0.40	0.9
May	43	79	0.53	0
June	52	90	0.30	0
July	60	92	1.45	0
August	59	90	1.63	0
September	52	84	1.33	0
October	40	72	1.20	0
November	28	59	0.79	0.9
December	21	49	0.78	3.4

Best Time of Day to Visit

Sunset at Petrified Forest National Park is incredible, especially on the Painted Desert landscapes. When the sun goes down, it makes the badlands an even more eye-popping color, turning it into a fiery oranges, then deep purples. 

Time of Day Breakdown

• Morning (sunrise to 10 am): The park is peaceful and relatively uncrowded as the day begins. It’s an excellent time for photography as the morning light casts a soft glow on the landscape.
• Midday (10 am to 2 pm): This is the warmest part of the day. It can be too much in the summer since there’s very little shade.
• Afternoon (2 pm to sunset): As the sun starts to lower, shadows lengthen on the rock formations, and the color is amazing.
• Evening (sunset to closing): This is the highlight of the day. Marvel at the breathtaking colors of the sunset, but remember to exit the park before closing time.

Special Events or Festivals

Here are some special events and festivals that take place in or near the Petrified Forest National Park:

1. Las Joyas del Desierto at the Cultural Art Market: A cultural event in the park.
2. Arizona National Parks Festival: A day-long celebration of the 22 national park sites in Arizona, including Petrified Forest.
3. Flagstaff Festival of Science | The Hidden Diversity of the Triassic Period: An educational event exploring the diverse life of the Triassic period found within the Petrified Forest National Park.

Don’t close that tab just yet…Where to Next in Arizona?

Arizona is amongst my top favorite places in the world. I’ve vanlifed around and through this great state back and forth, north and south, multiple times on my road trips. If you’re looking for more itineraries on Arizona, check out these other destinations.

• Perfect One Day In Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary
• One Day in Saguaro National Park Itinerary for First-Timers
• One Day in Grand Canyon South Rim: First-Timers Itinerary

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.