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© Kenneth Bader

Petrified Forest NP

34.98316 , -109.79785

United States of America (USA)

Established in 1906 as a National Monument, the 200,000-acre Petrified Forest National Park contains scenic badlands and some of the best intact steppe grasslands on the Colorado Plateau. Juniper and larger shrubs are present along the rim of the Painted Desert and cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk line the banks of the Puerco River.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Kenneth Bader : 34.9832/-109.7978 (2021-09-13 19:01:12 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 34.9874/-109.7834 (2020-11-23 21:43:55 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Petrified Forest NP" (2020-11-23 21:43:55 )

Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-14 00:58:24
Established in 1906 as a National Monument, the 200,000-acre Petrified Forest National Park contains scenic badlands and some of the best intact steppe grasslands on the Colorado Plateau. Juniper and larger shrubs are present along the rim of the Painted Desert and cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk line the banks of the Puerco River. Surface water is only present during the summer monsoons.\r\n\r\nThe trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Additional common species include Raven, White-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Rock Wren, Sage Thrasher, Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 18:13:43
Established in 1906 as a National Monument, the 200,000-acre Petrified Forest National Park contains scenic badlands and some of the best intact steppe grasslands on the Colorado Plateau. Juniper and larger shrubs are present along the rim of the Painted Desert and cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk line the banks of the Puerco River. Surface water is only present during the summer monsoons. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Additional common species include Raven, White-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Rock Wren, Sage Thrasher, Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 17:06:14
Established in 1906 as a National Monument, the 200,000-acre Petrified Forest National Park contains scenic badlands and some of the best intact steppe grasslands on the Colorado Plateau. Juniper and larger shrubs are present along the rim of the Painted Desert and cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk line the banks of the Puerco River. Surface water is only present during the summer monsoons. monsoons. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Additional common species include Raven, White-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Rock Wren, Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 17:04:01
Established in 1906 as a National Monument, the 200,000-acre Petrified Forest National Park contains scenic badlands and some of the best intact steppe grasslands on the Colorado Plateau. Juniper and larger shrubs are present along the rim of the Painted Desert and cottonwoods, willows, and tamarisk line the banks of the Puerco River. Surface water is only present during the summer monsoons. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Additional common species include Raven, White-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Rock Wren, Horned Lark, and Western Meadowlark.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:37:19)

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:15:57)

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:15:42)

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:15:26)

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:15:11)

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:14:52)

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:14:39)

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:14:18)

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:14:01)

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:13:20)

Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:13:04)

Common Raven (Corvus corax) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:12:47)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:11:59)

Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:11:34)

Common Raven (Corvus corax) was deleted by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:11:16)

Common Raven (Corvus corax) was added by Kenneth Bader (2021-09-13 18:10:56)

  • Timing and strategy

Most of the park is comprised of sagebrush steppe and open badlands, which host a variety of desert and grassland bird species. While there are short hiking trails in the park, you can hike off trail in undeveloped areas. Talk to the rangers at the visitor's center for suggestions on where to hike in the wilderness area.

The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape.

Summer temperatures can reach 100F, but temperatures can drop fast during the monsoon season (July-Sept). Surface water is only present in the Puerco River and Lithodendron washes during the monsoons. After the monsoons, the grasslands bloom, turning the landscape yellow. Winters are typically cold and windy with light snowfall a few times per year. Sandstorms often hit this region during the afternoon in late April and May, resulting in highway closures between Winslow and Flagstaff.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-10-04 11:45
Most of the park is comprised of sagebrush steppe and open badlands, which host a variety of desert and grassland bird species. While there are short hiking trails in the park, you can hike off trail in undeveloped areas. Talk to the rangers at the visitor's center for suggestions on where to hike in the wilderness area. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center Visitor Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Summer temperatures can reach 100F, but temperatures can drop fast during the monsoon season (July-Sept). Surface water is only present in the Puerco River and Lithodendron washes during the monsoons. After the monsoons, the grasslands bloom, turning the landscape yellow. Winters are typically cold and windy with light snowfall a few times per year. Sandstorms often hit this region during the afternoon in late April and May, resulting in highway closures between Winslow and Flagstaff.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-10-19 07:36
Most of the park is comprised of sagebrush steppe and open badlands, which host a variety of desert and grassland bird species. While there are short hiking trails in the park, you can hike off trail in undeveloped areas. Talk to the rangers at the visitor's center for suggestions on where to hike in the wilderness area. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Summer temperatures can reach 100F, but temperatures can drop fast during the monsoon season (July-Sept). Surface water is only present in the Puerco River and Lithodendron washes during the monsoons. After the monsoons, the grasslands bloom, turning the landscape yellow. Winters are typically cold and windy with light snowfall a few times per year. Sandstorms often hit this region during the afternoon in late April and May, resulting in highway closures between Winslow and Flagstaff.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-09-23 08:26
Most of the park is comprised of sagebrush steppe and open badlands, which host variety of desert and grassland bird species. While there are short hiking trails in the park, you can hike off trail in undeveloped areas. Talk to the rangers at the visitor's center for suggestions on where to hike in the wilderness area. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Summer temperatures can reach 100F, but temperatures can drop fast during the monsoon season (July-Sept). Surface water is only present in the Puerco River and Lithodendron washes during the monsoons. After the monsoons, the grasslands bloom, turning the landscape yellow. Winters are typically cold and windy with light snowfall a few times per year. Sandstorms often hit this region during the afternoon in late April and May, resulting in highway closures between Winslow and Flagstaff.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-14 00:57
Most of the park is comprised of sagebrush steppe and open badlands, which host variety of desert and grassland bird species. While there are short hiking trails in the park, you can hike off trail in undeveloped areas. Talk to the rangers at the visitor's center for suggestions on where to hike in the wilderness area. The trees at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center serve as a migrant trap in the spring and fall and host breeding pairs of Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Scaled Quail can occasionally be spotted near the Puerco River or the visitors centers. During the summer, Burrowing Owls can be found around the prairie dog towns near Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, and the south entrance. Golden Eagles are regularly sighted flying over the landscape. Summer temperatures can reach 100F, but temperatures can drop fast during the monsoon season (July-Sept). Surface water is only present in the Puerco River and Lithodendron washes during the monsoons.After the monsoons, the grasslands bloom, turning the landscape yellow. Winters are typically cold and windy with light snowfall a few times per year. Sandstorms often hit this region during the afternoon in late April and May, resulting in highway closures between Winslow and Flagstaff.
  • How to get there

The north entrance is 26 miles east of Holbrook, AZ on I-40 (exit 311). The south entrance is 18.5 miles southeast of Holbrook on US-180. Holbrook can be reached by bus, but you will need a personal vehicle to visit the park. Fuel is available at the north entrance and in Holbrook.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 15:54
The north entrance is 26 miles east of Holbrook, AZ on I-40 (exit 311). The south entrance is 18.5 miles southeast of Holbrook on US-180. Holbrook can be reached by bus, but you will need a personal vehicle to visit the park. Fuel is available at the north entrance and in Holbrook.

The National Park Service charges an entrance fee at the gates. The park is open from 8am to 5 pm. Winter snowfall may delay the opening time.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 16:03
The National Park Service charges an entrance fee at the gates. The park is open from 8am to 5 pm. Winter snowfall may delay the opening time.
  • Other attractions

Petrified Forest is best known for paleontology and archaeology, and the numerous stops along the park road highlight concentrations of petrified wood, petroglyphs, and the Puerco Pueblo. The Painted Desert Inn is a historic landmark that overlooks the badlands of the Painted Desert.

Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Gunnison's Prairie Dog, White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, Porcupine, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, and Desert Cottontail are frequently seen in the park. The Rainbow Forest is a good place to find Collared Lizards.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 18:36
Petrified Forest is best known for paleontology and archaeology, and the numerous stops along the park road highlight concentrations of petrified wood, petroglyphs, and the Puerco Pueblo. The Painted Desert Inn is a historic landmark that overlooks the badlands of the Painted Desert. Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Gunnison's Prairie Dog, White-tailed Antelope Squirrel, Porcupine, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, and Desert Cottontail are frequently seen in the park. The Rainbow Forest is a good place to find Collared Lizards.

Park information is available at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. There are numerous stops and short trails along the park road, primarily catering toward paleontology, archaeology, and scenic overlooks.

Food is available in the concessions buildings at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and the Rainbow Forest Lodge Gift Shop. There are restrooms at the Painted Desert Visitor Center, Rainbow Forest Museum, the Painted Desert Inn and Puerco Pueblo.

Lodging and established campsites are not available at Petrified Forest, but you can apply for backcountry camping permits.

Holbrook, AZ, has a variety of options for lodging and food.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-10-04 11:44
Park information is available at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. There are numerous stops and short trails along the park road, primarily catering toward paleontology, archaeology, and scenic overlooks. Food is available in the concessions buildings at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center Visitor Center and the Rainbow Forest Lodge Gift Shop. There are restrooms at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center, Visitor Center, Rainbow Forest Museum, the Painted Desert Inn and Puerco Pueblo. Lodging and established campsites are not available at Petrified Forest, but you can apply for backcountry camping permits. Holbrook, AZ, has a variety of options for lodging and food.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 16:28
Park information is available at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. There are numerous stops and short trails along the park road, primarily catering toward paleontology, archaeology, and scenic overlooks. Food is available in the concessions buildings at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center and the Rainbow Forest Lodge Gift Shop. There are restrooms at the Painted Desert Visitor's Center, Rainbow Forest Museum, the Painted Desert Inn and Puerco Pueblo. Lodging and established campsites are not available at Petrified Forest, but you can apply for backcountry camping permits. Holbrook, AZ, has a variety of options for lodging and food.

There are no significant safety/security issues.

The gates close at 5pm and visitors are expected to be driving toward one of the exits no later than 6pm. eBird reports of some species, especially waterbirds and shorebirds, are often made by park staff and are often in areas closed to the public such as around park housing and water treatment ponds.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 19:30
There are no significant safety/security issues. The gates close at 5pm and visitors are expected to be driving toward one of the exits no later than 6pm. 6pm. eBird reports of some species, especially waterbirds and shorebirds, are often made by park staff and are often in areas closed to the public such as around park housing and water treatment ponds.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 19:27
There are no significant safety/security issues. The gates close at 5pm and visitors are expected to be driving toward one of the exits no later than 6pm.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 17:05
The gates close at 5pm and visitors are expected to be driving toward one of the exits no later than 6pm.6pm.
Edited by Kenneth Bader on 2021-09-13 16:30
The gates close at 5pm and visitors are expected to be driving toward one of the exits no later than 6pm.
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Petrified Forest NP - Orniverse