Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour

4.8 (6 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

6 reviews

4.8

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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 the purchased tours*

Day Trips Hiking Tours Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Cultural Tours

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Shaka Guide Apps

What is included

Included

Included: Tours NEVER expire
Included: Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Included: Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)
Included: Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
Included: Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Included: Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Included: Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t
Included: Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

Not included

Not included: Private Transportation
Not included: Meals & Refreshments

Itinerary

Painted Desert Visitor Center

15 min Admission not included

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.
Kachina Point

30 min

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.
Puerco Pueblo

15 min

This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.
The Tepees

15 min

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.
Blue Mesa

15 min

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.
Agate Bridge

15 min

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.
Jasper Forest

15 min

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.
Crystal Forest Trail

15 min

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.
Rainbow Forest Museum

one hour

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Recommended Start Time: Before 11:00 a.m.

End point

Recommended Start Time: Before 11:00 a.m.

Using your ticket

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR:

Thank you for purchasing the Petrified Forest Tour.

Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below:

*Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode).

1. Download the Shaka Guide App in the App Store or Google Play Store (or use the link at the bottom of this email)

2. Open the app and sign in/create your account

3. Go to Support → Retrieve Purchases

4. Tap on Redeem Purchases

5. Enter your Redeem Code (10-digit booking reference number on your ticket located under the barcode)

6. Tap on Redeem Purchases

7. Download your tour(s)

Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app.

For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go.

Should you need further assistance or have other questions, email us at [email protected] or call (808) 201-8138

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
Park open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; 28-mile scenic drive takes ~45 min without stops
Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time, but the nearby Navajo Reservation does — confirm your time before arriving
One restaurant in the park: Painted Desert Diner (north entrance); snacks also available at the south entrance gift shop; three picnic areas if you bring your own food
One gas station in the park (north end) — cheaper to fill up outside the park
Removing petrified wood is strictly prohibited
Bonus stop: Winslow, AZ is less than an hour away — notable for its historic railroad hotel and Eagles "Take It Easy" tribute