Petrified Forest National Park

Highlights

For riders who want rare geology and true backcountry space, Petrified Forest reads as an expedition-style desert ride rather than a standard trail-park stop.

Riding

The riding experience is all about wilderness freedom and unusual scenery. Petrified Forest’s designated wilderness totals 50,260 acres across northern and southern units, and horseback use is allowed in those wild backcountry areas. There are no maintained horse trails in the wilderness, so the ride feels less like following a park circuit and more like moving through open desert country with judgment and care. That makes the destination especially compelling for riders who like space, solitude, and a sense of discovery. Dry washes, big skies, colorful formations, and the park’s signature badland textures give the ride enormous personality. It is one of the rare places where the visual identity is so strong that the whole outing feels editorial before you even finish the first hour in the saddle.

Rideable terrain

50,260 acres

Trailer parking

The official equestrian access point is the Painted Desert Wilderness access trail near Kachina Point, two miles north of the Painted Desert Visitor Center, with trailer parking and loading/unloading room.

Horse regulations

Horse use is allowed broadly on park lands except paved roads, paved trails, and visitor-use areas, and the park requires riders to use certified weed-free feed, clean up after horses in developed areas, and pack out trash. In wilderness areas, riders must also comply with wilderness restrictions and current stock-use limits. The practical takeaway is that this is a regulated backcountry ride, not a casual roadside horseback stop. When presented that way, the rules help rather than hurt the destination. They signal that the park protects an unusual landscape and expects riders to travel through it thoughtfully.

Getting here

Arrival here should be treated as precise and deliberate. The park directs equestrians to the Painted Desert Wilderness access trail near Kachina Point, on the northwest side of Painted Desert Inn, where there is trailer parking and room for loading and unloading. That makes the entry process more structured than improvised, which is exactly what you want in a sensitive national-park setting. Once you unload, the first impression is that the ride begins with purpose. The initial switchbacks drop roughly 400 feet on an unstable surface with steep drop-offs, so this is a park where confidence, horsemanship, and calm preparation matter. It is not difficult in a glamorous way; it is rewarding in a capable-rider way.

Planning your visit

Water planning is absolutely central here. The park states that no water is available in the wilderness area, elevations average about 5,800 feet, and temperatures can swing from extreme heat to bitter cold. Summer monsoon rains can also flood washes and make access more difficult. For your project, position Petrified Forest as a premium bring-your-own-horse adventure for experienced, planning-minded riders. Check current conditions, confirm permit details if staying overnight, and build the ride around water, weather, and daylight. That framing keeps the copy aspirational while still being honest about the level of preparation this park deserves.

Where to stay

Petrified Forest is not a classic developed horse-camp destination, but it does allow overnight wilderness travel with a free permit, which gives the park a serious backcountry edge. Riders who stay overnight need to think in wilderness terms rather than campground-comfort terms, and that distinction should be clear in the workbook. For many travelers, the most comfortable version of this destination will be day riding paired with lodging, fuel, and supplies outside the park. For others, the overnight wilderness option is exactly what makes Petrified Forest special. Either way, the experience feels elevated because it is so clearly tied to the landscape rather than to built amenities.