If You Have 1 Day

The most obvious and easiest way to see the park is to first stop at one of the visitor centers and then take the 28-mile scenic drive, stopping at the pullouts and taking some of the short trails to get close-up views of the petrified wood. With a bit of extra time, you might consider a walk into the Painted Desert Wilderness. Combine this with a pre- or posthike picnic at the Chinde Point Picnic Area.