Top Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park
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10 Nature & Parks in Petrified Forest National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
Located in northeast Arizona, this park features one of the world's largest and most colorful arrays of petrified wood.
1. Long Logs Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 817JustineS - Tucson, United States
This is my favorite site in the National Park. It's less crowded than the other sites because 1) you have to park a little ways away at the visitor center instead of right at the path and 2) you have to walk a bit to see everything (about 2.5 miles from the parking to the petrified wood house and around the whole long logs loop). That said, it's spectacular and well worth the walk! There are massive petrified logs all around you.
2. Painted Desert Rim Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By dblmed - Los Angeles, United States
We hiked the Rim Trail starting at the pink adobe Desert Inn and around the well marked area. It’s a nice general overview trail hike which explores the beautiful park scenery. ( It’s an easy/ light moderate trail which all can do.) gets you excited to do more in the park. Enjoy!
3. The Tepees
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By 666glenns - Surprise, United States
This is in the Petrified Forest portion of the drive right alongside the road. It is really facinating how this could be formed through volcanic activity and years of erosion.
4. Painted Desert
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,449 reviews
This desert is famous for its striking bands of colors.
Reviewed By Chuck2010 - Palmyra, United States
We entered the park off I-40 beyond Holbrook, AZ ... The park road just beyond Blue Mesa is closed due to construction. You can see the first 16 miles before needing to turn around and head back. Seeing the park from north to south gives you the painted desert viewpoints, the historic painted desert inn, route 66 site, pueblo dwellings, newspaper rock, blue mesa, and petrified logs ... nice variety and all great to see!
5. Rainbow Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
An area in the south side of the Petrified Forest National Park.
Reviewed By CWGross - Calgary, Canada
The Rainbow Forest isn't a specific PLACE in Petrified Forest National Park. It is the southernmost region of the park where you find most of the petrified wood deposits. The northernmost region, by contrast, is the Painted Desert. The Rainbow Forest is most accessible through the Giant Logs trail behind the Rainbow Forest Museum and the nearby Long Logs trail. If you are coming to Petrified Forest specifically to see the petrified wood deposits, then this is the section you want to give the most time to. We actually started at the north gate, at the Painted Desert, and ended up feeling a bit rushed by the time we finally got down to the Rainbow Forest, which I regret. When we go back (I've already decided it's a WHEN, not an IF!), we're going to focus on just the Rainbow Forest. You get a neat effect going north to south, because the petrified wood deposits get bigger and more voluminous as you go, climaxing in the Rainbow Forest, but if you do that make sure you give yourself a full day. By the time we got to the park and had lunch, we didn't actually get IN the park until noon. The Long Logs trail closed at 5:30, the museum closed at 5 or 6, and the park road closed at 7, and that sneaks up on you sooner that you expect. If you're undecided about Petrified Forest, DO IT. It's not a scenically dramatic park like Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, etc. What is most fascinating about Petrified Forest, and the Rainbow Forest in particular, is what you find there: endless fields of massive 225 million year old logs, dating back to the primordial swamps in which dinosaurs were just small newcomers. It's one of the most famous palaeontological sites in the WORLD, let alone the United States. If you're making your way out to Northern Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater and all that, you owe it to yourself to see Petrified Forest too.
6. Devil's Playground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Eroded area of the Painted Desert where colors are brilliant.
Reviewed By KatWat39 - Canton, United States
Love this colorful rocky landscape that nature created. Everywhere you look is just a little different. If you are a nature lover, take a few minutes to absorb just how wonderful the view is.
7. Black Forest
8. Blue Mesa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
Reviewed By Craig-World-Travelle - Agoura Hills, United States
Amazing views of these blue badlands from both lookouts and also from the hike. The hike is a bit steep for 1/4 mile but the trail is great - asphalt. If you can do the 1 mile loop hike it is really worth it as you get up close to the hills and a different perspective. The lookouts from up top are also beautiful and just a few steps from the parking lots. Best place for photos. A must see when you visit the National Park.
9. Giant Logs Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By snpkelley - Uniontown, United States
This is a nice short trail with lots of wood and you can get up close and look at it. This was one of our favorite parts of the petrified national forest.
10. Crystal Forest Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By 581colleenc - Troy, United States
This trail is in the southern end of the Petrified Forest. The trail is a loop that is just under a mile in distance total. The trail is paved, easy walk and the best way to see an abundant amount of the mineralized trees. All the trees are sooo different take the time to look at the different colors represented. Plenty of parking available.
