Backcountry
Over fifty thousand acres of Petrified Forest National Park, in both the north and south units, is designated Wilderness Area.
Plan Around Backcountry
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Backcountry Details
Over fifty thousand acres of Petrified Forest National Park, in both the north and south units, is designated Wilderness Area. The Painted Desert Wilderness Area is at the north end of the park; the southern unit of the Petrified Forest Wilderness Area is accessible from a pullout off the main park road. The completely undeveloped areas feature mesas, buttes, badlands and scattered grasslands. Hikes in the north will traverse the red and orange part of the painted desert; hikes in the south will visit badlands and petrified wood forests. Hikers need not obtain a permit for day hikes, but there are no developed trails in the backcountry, so all hiking is cross-country. Although there are no maintained trails in the backcountry, there are a number of suggested hikes. There is no water and little shade, so come prepared. There are no regular campgrounds in Petrified Forest, but backcountry camping is allowed. Anyone who wants to stay overnight must obtain a free permit from either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Campers in the north unit must stay in a designated zone north of Lithodendron Wash before setting up camp; parking, facilities, and an access trail are available at Painted Desert Inn. There are no maintained campsites in the Wilderness Area. Camp sizes are limited to 8 people and four horses.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
Basic Information
Nearby Parks Around Backcountry
Compare nearby parks around Backcountry when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Backcountry
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Backcountry while the map context is still fresh.
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