Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park
The best months to visit Petrified Forest National Park are February, April, November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. June is the crowd peak (63,918 monthly visits); February is quietest at 33% of peak.
- The Painted Desert Oasis Gift Shop, Gas Station and Restaurant are Open! (Information)
- Park Headquarters Phones are Down (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Petrified Forest month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 23,357 | 37% | 48°F / 22°F | 0.9″ | 10h |
| February | Best window | 21,056 | 33% | 53°F / 25°F | 0.7″ | 10.9h |
| March | Peak crowds | 47,378 | 74% | 61°F / 30°F | 0.7″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 42,469 | 66% | 68°F / 35°F | 0.4″ | 13.1h |
| May | Peak crowds | 58,041 | 91% | 78°F / 44°F | 0.5″ | 14h |
| June | Peak crowds | 63,918 | 100% | 89°F / 53°F | 0.3″ | 14.5h |
| July | Peak crowds | 53,668 | 84% | 92°F / 60°F | 1.4″ | 14.3h |
| August | Shoulder | 42,478 | 66% | 88°F / 58°F | 1.7″ | 13.5h |
| September | Shoulder | 42,663 | 67% | 82°F / 51°F | 1.1″ | 12.4h |
| October | Peak crowds | 44,784 | 70% | 71°F / 40°F | 1.0″ | 11.3h |
| November | Best window | 29,030 | 45% | 58°F / 28°F | 0.6″ | 10.3h |
| December | Shoulder | 29,406 | 46% | 47°F / 22°F | 0.8″ | 9.8h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US (2 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
What to pack for Petrified Forest in February
Computed from February's weather normals — Petrified Forest's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 25°F, below freezing
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.
📦 Packing for a trip with a date on it? Amazon Prime's free 30-day trial includes fast free delivery, so gear ordered this week arrives before you leave — and returns are free if a layer doesn't fit. Start the free 30-day trial →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Petrified Forest?
February, April, November rank best for Petrified Forest on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Petrified Forest?
June: an average of 63,918 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is February, at 33% of the June peak.
How many people visit Petrified Forest per year?
Petrified Forest National Park averaged 498,248 recreation visits per year over 2021–2025, per official NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Dive into a month
Last verified 2026-09-12 · all parks