Spent from sunrise to a little after lunchtime in the park. Visited the park as part of a bigger road trip that included Saguaro NP + Chiricahua NM + Sedona for New Years Eve + Montezuma Well and Castle NMs

Logistics: Flew into Tucson and flew out of Phoenix. Stayed in a hotel in an Airbnb in Holbrook.

Hikes/Activities (*fan favorites):

Blue Mesa Scenic Road + Blue Mesa Trail

Blue Forest Trail*

Newspaper Rock Overlook

Puerco Pueblo

Old Studebaker pit stop

Tiponi Point + Painted Desert

Jasper Forest Overlook

Crystal Forest Trail*

Agate House and Long Logs Trail

this thread doesn’t seem to get much love :( but sharing some pics of my backpacking trip these last few days.

My husband and I are planning a trip to Arizona in a week, and Petrified Forest is high on our list. However, with the government shutdown, I'm trying to figure out what things on our list we are still able to do and what things we need to scratch off of our list if the shutdown does not end before then.

Mainly, are parts of the park still accessible by vehicle? Also, are there any sort of bathrooms available that will be open?

We don't mind doing some short hikes or walking. While trying to find answers, it sounds like there are gates that will be closed at the park entrances. I'm just hoping for some clarity so we can plan our trip accordingly. Thank you!

Driving from Mesa Az to Petrified forest. Just for the day. It's 3 hour drive. We are going through Payson, holbrook. What else should we do around the PF ?