Petrified Forest National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Duration2h - 3h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Discover the timeless beauty of Petrified Forest National Park with this self-guided driving tour. Journey through an ancient landscape where once-lush forests have turned to stone and vibrant desert vistas stretch as far as the eye can see. Explore trails that wind through the park, revealing a land frozen in time and bursting with geological wonders. Unearth the history of this unique landscape, filled with prehistoric creatures, early human inhabitants, and fascinating fossils.

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone explores together!

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

What's included

Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

What to expect

Pass by

Our tour begins at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 1 Park Rd. If you’re not there already, you should head there now.

Note: The tour is over 27+ miles long, with more than 32+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Pass by

Coming up soon is the Painted Desert Rim Trail, an easy 1-mile hike that takes around 25 minutes.
Painted Desert Inn
Pass by

You’ll have the opportunity to see the Painted Desert Inn. This abandoned hotel dates back to the early 1900s and offers a fascinating glimpse into early tourism in the region.
Pintado Point
Pass by

Pintado Point is coming up in just a moment. As the highest overlook in the park, it offers a 360-degree view of the Painted Desert badlands. But how exactly did these badlands form?
Pass by

“Nizhoni” means beautiful in Navajo, a name that describes the first overlook perfectly.
Blue Mesa
2h

10-minute detour to the Blue Mesa Trail. The views that color this easy 1-mile loop trail make it a hugely popular stop for most visitors. The trail itself takes about 25 minutes.
Pass by

Petrified Forest is the only national park that contains a section of Historic Route 66, that essential piece of Americana.
Pass by

This prominent embodiment of the Blue Mesa layer is covered in rock carvings called petroglyphs.
Pass by

This moderately challenging 2.4-mile roundtrip route takes around an hour to complete.
Lacey Point
Pass by

Lacey Point is just ahead, named after Iowa Congressman John Lacey. Lacey spent his congress years working tirelessly to protect plants and wildlife.
Agate Bridge
Pass by

The “bridge” in question here is actually a 110-foot-long petrified log spanning a gully! With each end firmly embedded in sandstone, this petrified log forms a sturdy natural bridge.
Jasper Forest
Pass by

Jasper Forest, an incredible garden of petrified wood. The logs aren’t actually jasper, but they do look like it!
Pass by

This 15-minute, easy trail features intact petrified logs with quartz crystals that sparkle in the sun.
Rainbow Forest Museum
Pass by

Once the heart of the Petrified Forest National Monument, the Rainbow Forest Museum acts as one of the earliest facilities.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Start near the Painted Desert Visitor Center on Park Rd. As you arrive, the visitor center will be on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with the visitor center or nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for details.

Meeting point

Start near the Petrified Forest Museum on Petrified Forest Rd. The gift shop is on your left and the museum on your right. This is the suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses. Audio plays automatically—check your email/text for details.

End point

The audio tour that you're following will come to a close at Parking Lot 6618 Petrified Forest Road in Holbrook, Arizona. This lot is located directly across from the Rainbow Forest Lodge.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to the possibility of government shutdowns affecting national parks and certain attractions, we recommend checking official websites for any updates or closures before your trip. This will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.5 (60)