Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour

Arizona , USA

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour

Active

(2 reviews)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Experience the ancient wonder of Petrified Forest National Park on our guided tour!

Our self-guided audio tour will turn your smartphone into a personal guide as it takes you on a journey through time to explore the stunning landscape of this unique national park.

Marvel at the incredible petrified wood that gives the park its name, as well as the ancient fossils and vibrant rock formations that tell the story of this area's rich geological history.

We'll share fascinating insights into the park's history and ecology, including the ancient cultures that once called this area home. With stops at multiple viewpoints and scenic overlooks, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking beauty of this one-of-a-kind national park.

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

Available options

Petrified Forest National Park Self Guided Audio Driving Tour

What's included

Tours NEVER expire

Offline Audio Guided Tour: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music

Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)

Take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you

Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations

Turn-by-turn directions using GPS

Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t

Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

Detailed itinerary

Stop at the visitor center for a quick bathroom break! These flush toilets are the cleanest you'll find until the Rainbow Forest Museum on the other end of the park.

The expanse of the Painted Desert is plainly viewable from the overlook, easily accessible behind the Painted Desert Inn via a short path from the parking lot.

This is a small, vault toilet by the parking lot.

These conical hills, banded with several shades of mudstones, are said to resemble Tepees. There are two pull-offs on the side of Petrified Forest Rd to park the car and get a good view--the North Pullout and the South Pullout, which is also the trailhead for the "Off the Beaten Path" Blue Forest Trail.

The Blue Mesa is one of the most beautiful parts of the park, with more opportunities to discover the strange, eroded badlands. Atop the Blue Mesa, the road splits and becomes a one-way loop. Stop at the first pull-offs for a glimpse of the badlands, and the first petrified wood deposit you see coming from the north.

This 100-ft long petrified log sits on top of a small chasm, forming a bridge. When the park opened, visitors could stand on top of it! Today, the log is off-limits and supported by concrete, but this is a quick, easy stop for an impressively long piece of petrified wood.

An overlook sits over a desert plain with a dense petrified wood deposit below. Want a closer look? Another ‘off the beaten path’ trail leads from the right of the parking lot down to the deposit following a well-worn path to the wash. Then it’s just you and the petrified wood–a truly astonishing and bizarre landscape.

This 0.75-mile hike makes a loop through one of the park's major petrified wood deposits. The paved trail and mostly flat topography make for an easy hike, and one accessible for those with wheelchairs or strollers.

If you only visit one visitor center in the national park, make it this one! In addition to the typical orientation video, gift shop, restrooms, and information desk, you'll find exhibits on the area's paleontology including fossils found in the park. Behind the building is the 0.4-mile Giant Logs trail, which passes some of the largest pieces of petrified wood in the park.

What's not included

Private Transportation

Meals & Refreshments

Entrance Fees

Parking Fees

Available languages

Audio guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.5

2 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.

Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.

Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.

Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.

Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!

The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.

What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”

Meeting point

Recommended Start Time: Before 11:00 a.m.

Important notes

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR:

Thank you for purchasing the Petrified Forest Tour.

Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below:

*Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode).

How to Redeem Your Tour(s):
1. Download the Shaka Guide app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Open the app and sign up or sign in
3. Tap Support
4. Tap Retrieve Purchases
5. Tap Redeem Purchase
6. Enter the 10-digit Booking Reference number (under the barcode on their Viator ticket)
7. Hit Redeem Purchase and download the tour(s)
Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app.

For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go.

We can't wait for you to explore with Shaka Guide!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to aloha@shakaguide.com or call (808) 201-8138

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

About Arizona

Arizona is renowned for its stunning desert landscapes, vibrant Native American culture, and iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. From the red rocks of Sedona to the cacti-filled Sonoran Desert, Arizona offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and rich cultural heritage.

Top Attractions

Grand Canyon National Park

One of the world's most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views, hiking trails, and rafting opportunities.

Nature 1-3 days Free entry for some areas, $35 per vehicle for park entry

Sedona

Known for its stunning red rock formations, Sedona is a hub for outdoor activities, spiritual retreats, and artsy boutiques.

Nature/Cultural 1-2 days Free to explore, $10-$20 for park entry fees

Monument Valley

Famous for its towering sandstone buttes, Monument Valley is a symbol of the American West and a significant site for Navajo culture.

Nature/Cultural 1 day $8 per person for the Tribal Park

Antelope Canyon

A stunning slot canyon known for its mesmerizing light beams and wave-like rock formations, Antelope Canyon is a must-visit for photographers and nature lovers.

Nature Half day $50-$80 per person for guided tours

Phoenix

Arizona's capital city offers a mix of urban attractions, cultural sites, and outdoor activities.

Urban/Cultural 1-3 days Varies by attraction

Must-Try Local Dishes

Sonoran Hot Dog

A bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and a spicy sauce, originating from the Sonoran Desert region.

Snack Contains meat and gluten

Chimichanga

A deep-fried burrito filled with various ingredients like beef, beans, and cheese, often served with salsa and sour cream.

Main Course Contains gluten and dairy (vegetarian options available)

Prickly Pear Margarita

A margarita made with prickly pear cactus fruit, giving it a unique sweet and tangy flavor.

Drink Contains alcohol

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Grand Canyon Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River Jeep tours in Sedona Spa treatments in Sedona Stargazing in the desert Visiting hot springs Exploring Native American reservations Visiting museums and art galleries

Best Time to Visit

March to May and September to November

These periods offer pleasant weather with mild temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The landscape is lush and green in the spring, and the fall offers beautiful foliage.

15-30°C 60-85°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Spanish
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

Mountain Time Zone (MTZ, UTC-7), with Daylight Saving Time observed (UTC-6 from March to November).

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe, but exercise caution in certain areas and situations.

Arizona is generally safe for travelers, but it's important to be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas and when exploring remote regions. Extreme weather conditions and natural hazards also pose risks.

Important Precautions:

• Be cautious of extreme heat and sun exposure
• Stay hydrated and carry plenty of water
• Avoid hiking alone in remote areas

Getting there

By air

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport • 5 km from downtown Phoenix
Tucson International Airport • 12 km from downtown Tucson

By train

Phoenix Union Station, Tucson Amtrak Station

By bus

Phoenix Bus Station, Tucson Bus Station, Flagstaff Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Valley Metro offers a comprehensive bus network that covers most of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Old Town Scottsdale Downtown Phoenix Tempe Tucson Downtown

Day trips

Sedona

180 km from Phoenix • Full day

Sedona offers stunning red rock formations, outdoor activities, and a vibrant arts scene.

Jerome

170 km from Phoenix • Half day

A historic ghost town turned artsy community with a rich mining history.

Tombstone

210 km from Phoenix • Half day

A historic town known for its Wild West heritage and the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Festivals

Phoenix Comicon • May Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase • February Sedona International Film Festival • February

Pro tips

Visit national parks early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and extreme heat
Carry plenty of water and wear sun protection, especially when hiking or exploring outdoor attractions
Book popular tours and accommodations well in advance, especially during peak seasons
Explore lesser-known attractions and hidden gems for a more authentic and less crowded experience
Be respectful of local cultures and traditions, especially when visiting Native American communities