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.
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.
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 2026-07-16 · all parks