Free Camping Near Petrified Forest National Park: Crystal Forest Museum Campground Review
Finding free camping is always nice.
Finding free camping right next to Petrified Forest National Park?
That’s even better.
During our visit to Petrified Forest, we stayed at the free camping area beside the Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop, near the entrance to the national park.
It wasn’t a fancy RV resort. There were no hookups at our site.
But we had a designated place to park, picnic tables, plenty of room and one of the most convenient locations we could have asked for while exploring Petrified Forest National Park.
And during our stay, it didn’t cost us anything.
Here’s what our experience was like.
Where Is the Crystal Forest Museum Camping Area?
The camping area was located beside the Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop, right next to the entrance to Petrified Forest National Park.
That location was the biggest advantage.
We weren’t camping somewhere miles away and then making a long drive every morning.
The park was essentially our neighbor.
For the way we like to travel, that was ideal.
We could head into Petrified Forest, explore for a while, come back to our trailer for lunch and then return to the park later.
We didn’t have to cram everything into one long sightseeing day.
Camping Was Free During Our Stay
The sites beside the Crystal Forest Museum were free during our visit.
Across the street was another gift shop offering electric camping sites. At the time, we were told those sites were around $16 per night.
We didn’t need electricity badly enough to pay for a site, so the free camping area worked perfectly for us.
Prices, policies and camping availability can change, of course.
Before planning a stay today, verify that camping is still permitted and whether there are any current fees or restrictions.
What Were the Campsites Like?
This wasn’t simply an unmarked patch of desert.
There were actual camping spaces with picnic tables.
Some of the sites even had shelters over the picnic tables, providing a covered outdoor area.
We chose the last site toward the back.
Behind our RV was another driveway leading into a large parking area.
That section had concrete pads arranged so an RV could park beside one and use the pad as an outdoor sitting area.
There was a lot of space.
For free camping, we thought the setup was pretty impressive.
Plenty of Room for RVs
One thing we appreciated was how open the camping area was.
We weren’t trying to squeeze our travel trailer between trees or maneuver down a narrow forest road.
There was plenty of open space during our stay.
That can make a huge difference when you’re towing an RV.
We could get settled without a complicated setup and then concentrate on the reason we’d come here in the first place:
Exploring Petrified Forest.
No Hookups at Our Free Site
The tradeoff was that our camping area didn’t provide hookups.
We needed to be self-contained.
That’s generally not a problem for us because we boondock frequently, but it’s something to understand before arriving.
If you’re staying without hookups, you’ll need to plan for your own:
- Electricity
- Fresh water
- Waste storage
- Trash
- Other everyday RV needs
For us, the convenience and free price easily outweighed the lack of hookups.
Where We Found Fresh Water
We needed to refill our fresh water while we were in the area.
During our visit, we went to the KOA in Holbrook and asked about filling our water tank.
They allowed us to get water without charging us.
That was extremely nice of them.
We wouldn’t assume that’s still the policy or that every traveler will have the same experience.
But if you’re trying to find water in the area, it’s one possible place to check.
Always ask permission before filling from a privately owned water source and verify that the water is appropriate for your intended use.
Where We Dumped Our RV Tanks
Before leaving the area, we planned to dump our tanks at the Maverik in Holbrook.
Having services available in Holbrook made the free campsite much more practical for us.
We could stay beside the national park without hookups and then head into town when we needed water, dumping or other supplies.
As always, verify current dump-station availability and fees before depending on a particular location.
Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop
Since we were camping beside the Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop, naturally we had to go inside.
We were glad we did.
It wasn’t simply a store filled with souvenirs.
We found displays and information about petrified wood, along with items for sale and information about the Navajo people of the surrounding area.
It had a bit of a museum feel to it.
After spending time inside Petrified Forest learning about the geology and history of the region, the gift shop made an interesting addition to the experience.
An Excellent Base for Petrified Forest National Park
This was where the campground really shined for us.
We were staying right beside the park.
Petrified Forest National Park turned out to have far more to see than we’d initially expected.
We explored Crystal Forest, Jasper Forest, Blue Mesa, Newspaper Rock, Puerco Pueblo, Agate House, the old Route 66 corridor and the Painted Desert.
Having our trailer so close meant we didn’t have to hurry.
We could explore part of the park, return home for lunch and then head back inside.
That’s our kind of sightseeing.
Exploring Route 66 From Here
The location also worked nicely with our Route 66 travels.
Petrified Forest itself preserves part of the old Route 66 corridor, and nearby Holbrook has its own Route 66 attractions.
One of our favorites was the Wigwam Motel.
We went into Holbrook for water and decided to stop at the motel while we were there.
The unusual wigwam-shaped rooms and antique cars made it a wonderfully quirky Route 66 stop.
So this free campsite worked as more than simply a place to sleep while visiting the national park.
It also gave us a base for exploring the surrounding Route 66 area.
We Met Some Wonderful People
One of the unexpected benefits of camping was meeting other travelers.
We met several wonderful people during our stay.
That’s one of the things we’ve always enjoyed about RV travel and boondocking.
You can pull into a place knowing absolutely no one.
A day later, you’re swapping travel stories with the people parked nearby.
Those interactions often become as memorable as the campground itself.
What We Liked About This Free Camping Spot
For us, the advantages were pretty substantial:
- Free camping during our stay
- Right beside Petrified Forest National Park
- Designated camping spaces
- Picnic tables
- Some covered picnic shelters
- Large open camping area
- Plenty of room for our travel trailer
- Crystal Forest Museum & Gift Shop beside the campground
- Holbrook nearby for supplies and RV services
- Great base for Route 66 sightseeing
- Easy access to the national park
It’s difficult to complain about that combination.
Things to Know Before Staying Here
The biggest thing to remember is that this wasn’t a full-service campground.
Our free site didn’t have hookups.
We needed to find water separately.
We also needed to go elsewhere to dump our tanks.
And because this camping area is associated with a privately owned business, you should never assume that the rules from our visit are still in effect.
Check current camping policies before arriving.
Don’t assume the campground is still free.
And if you’re depending on water or a dump station in Holbrook, verify those services separately.
Our review reflects what we experienced during our stay.
Would We Stay Here Again?
Absolutely.
The location was hard to beat.
We could wake up, step outside our trailer and be right beside one of the places we’d traveled to Arizona to see.
We didn’t have to spend money on an RV park simply to have somewhere convenient to stay.
We had room.
We had picnic tables.
We met great people.
And when we wanted to explore Petrified Forest, it was practically outside our door.
That’s a pretty successful campsite in our book.
Free Camping Made Our Petrified Forest Visit Even Better
Petrified Forest National Park surprised us with how much there was to explore.
Having a free campsite right beside the park gave us the luxury of taking our time.
We could see the petrified wood.
Explore the Painted Desert.
Walk among ancient sites and petroglyphs.
Follow Historic Route 66.
Head into Holbrook.
Visit the Wigwam Motel.
Then return to our own little home at the end of the day.
Sometimes a campsite is memorable because it’s spectacularly beautiful.
Sometimes it’s memorable because it’s unbelievably convenient.
This one was definitely the latter.
And for the price we paid?
It was pretty hard to beat.
And we’ll see you down the road…and Over the Hills!
Continue the Journey
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