Best Tent Camping near Petrified Forest Natl Park, AZ
Dispersed camping in Petrified Forest National Park is permitted only in the designated Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, which requires a free backcountry permit obtained from the visitor center. Tent campers must hike at least a half mile from their vehicle into the wilderness area, with no established sites, water sources, or facilities available. Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, located in Forest Lakes, Arizona, offers an alternative primitive tent camping experience with six designated sites approximately 60 miles west of the national park.
Tent campers in the Petrified Forest wilderness must pack in all necessary supplies, including water, as no resources are available once in the backcountry. The terrain consists primarily of high desert with minimal natural shelter from sun or wind. No fires are allowed in the wilderness area, and all trash must be packed out. The park's wilderness area closes at sunset unless you have the required overnight permit. At Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground, each site features a fire ring with grill and picnic table, with vault toilets on-site but no drinking water or trash service. Access to the lake requires a steep 0.8-mile hike with significant elevation change.
Backcountry tent camping in the wilderness area provides exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution and offers solitude rarely found at established campgrounds. The Painted Desert section provides popular access points for overnight stays, with most hikers starting from the trail at the Painted Desert Inn. The high desert environment creates dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, requiring appropriate gear for both hot and cold conditions. Camping at Chevelon Canyon is more sheltered with tall trees providing some shade, though the sites are primitive. One camper noted, "The silence here was stunning—only interrupted by the bugling of elk," highlighting the remote nature of the area.
