Petrified Forest in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Best window · VisitWhen score 72/100 · #3 of 12 months
November is one of the best months of the year to visit Petrified Forest National Park: crowds run 45% of the June peak (29,030 average visits). Weather: highs average 58°F and lows 28°F, with 0.6″ of precipitation and 10.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Bring for Petrified Forest in November
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 28°F, below freezing.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Petrified Forest in November: what the park service says
Petrified Forest is open every day of the year except two, and one of them falls in November: the park service closes the whole park on Thanksgiving Day, and again on Christmas. Plan your drive along the park road for another day that week. Arizona does not use Daylight Saving Time, so park times are Mountain Standard all year; once Daylight Saving ends in early November, that puts the park on the same clock as neighbouring New Mexico and the Navajo Reservation, which run an hour ahead of it in summer.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Petrified Forest averages 29,030 recreation visits in November — 45% of what June, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.
Weather & daylight
Expect cool days (highs average 58°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 28°F). It is typically dry (0.6″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US (2 mi from park coordinates, 5,760 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Petrified Forest in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 28°F, below freezing
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Arches in November — 44% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 71/100
Common questions
Is Petrified Forest crowded in November?
Moderately: November runs 45% of the June peak, averaging 29,030 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Petrified Forest.
What is the weather like in Petrified Forest in November?
Average highs of 58°F, lows of 28°F, 0.6″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, PAINTED DESERT NP, AZ US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Petrified Forest in November?
Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Petrified Forest in December has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24