Painted Desert Campground Petrified Forest National Park

Unlike typical front-country campgrounds, Petrified Forest runs a permit-based wilderness camping system across designated backcountry zones. You’ll hike 1-2 miles from parking areas to reach legal camping spots among the scattered petrified wood and painted badlands. No facilities except what you pack—this is proper Leave No Trace camping with composting toilet requirements. The payoff is having this surreal landscape to yourself after day visitors clear out.

Free permits required and issued at visitor center up to 60 days ahead. Best accessed October through April when temps stay reasonable. Summer heat can be brutal with zero shade. GPS recommended since trails aren’t marked beyond the initial wilderness boundary signs.

Wilderness permits for backcountry desert camping