Petrified Forest National Park in July
July at Petrified Forest National Park averages a daytime high near 92°F and an overnight low around 60°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.6× the park's average month, which makes July a busy month here.
- Average low
- 60°F
- Average high
- 92°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.4 in
- Daylight
- 14.1 hours
Roughly 13% of the park's yearly visitors come in July: about 84,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes July the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score July rates 34/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 76°F is hot, with afternoons near 92°F to plan the day around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park.
July falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 37% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.
You'll have about 14.1 hours of daylight in July to explore — near the year-round maximum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 559,254 recreation visits, up 7.4% from 520,491 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 20.5%, so July may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How July compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 89°F / 53°F | 1.7× Very busy | 45 Fair |
| July | 92°F / 60°F | 1.6× Busy | 34 Poor |
| August | 88°F / 58°F | 1.2× Busy | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Petrified Forest, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Petrified Forest in July
The National Park Service tags 15 Petrified Forest activities for summer. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a BARK Ranger!
- Collect Your Cancellation Stamps · 2-10 minutes
- Explore at the Paleo Exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum · 30-60 minutes
- Go Geocaching · 60 minutes
- Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant Logs · 30-60 minutes
- Walk Crystal Forest Trail · 20-120 minutes
- Walk Puerco Pueblo Trail · 10-60 minutes
- Walk the Tawa Trail · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
July averages a daytime high near 92°F and an overnight low around 60°F at Petrified Forest National Park, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
July is busy at Petrified Forest National Park (about 1.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 34/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. July sits at about 1.6× the park's average, or 13% of annual visitation.
A typical July sees about 84,000 recreation visits at Petrified Forest National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest in July
Booking a July trip to Petrified Forest National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live July availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Petrified Forest
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in July.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.