Petrified Forest National Park

What an awesome place. Beautiful views of the painted desert, blue mesa, and rainbow forest ( petrified wood).
Make sure to stop by the visitor center for a map because it will point out highlights all along the drive. Basically you enter the park at one of the entrance (there is 2) and drive through the other way. It's 28 miles.
I would highly recommend getting the Shaka guide as the stories and educational info make the drive more interesting.
However, without the Shaka guide you just need the park map.
Gorgeous views.

This review is for Historic Blue Forest Trail which was a ~2.4 miles round trip that took ~1.25 hours to complete.

The entrance from US 180 has a gate that automatically opens after 8am; you won't be able to get in before that. Beautiful views throughout the hike with the snow! A few icy spots but do-able without microspikes. Extremely cold in the low ~15°F. The second half of the loop may be a little confusing; just make sure you have the AllTrails map.

Parking is on the side of the road.

Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/NlBe9NrhvLk

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is an absolute gem that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. From the moment you enter the park, you are greeted with well-paved roads that make exploring this natural wonder a breeze, even with a trailer or large RV. The infrastructure is top-notch, ensuring a smooth and comfortable drive throughout the park.

One of the standout features of Petrified Forest is, of course, the mesmerizing petrified wood scattered across the landscape. The sheer number and size of these ancient trees turned to stone are awe-inspiring. The park has a variety of trails that take you up close to these petrified wonders, allowing you to marvel at the intricate details and vibrant colors preserved in the wood over millions of years. The Blue Mesa Trail, in particular, provides a unique perspective as you descend into a colorful badlands area surrounded by petrified logs.

The vistas in Petrified Forest National Park are nothing short of breathtaking. The panoramic views seem to stretch endlessly, showcasing the diverse landscapes within the park. The Painted Desert, with its vibrant hues of red, orange, and purple, is a true spectacle. As the sun sets, the colors intensify, creating a magical and unforgettable experience.

Another highlight of the park is the abundance of wildflowers that bloom in season, adding a splash of color to the already stunning landscape. Springtime transforms the park into a floral paradise, with a vibrant carpet of flowers covering the desert floor. It's a photographer's dream, and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to witness the desert come to life in such a vibrant and delicate way.

The park's well-maintained facilities, including visitor centers and informative exhibits, provide valuable insights into the geological and paleontological history of the area. Rangers are knowledgeable and passionate, enhancing the overall educational experience for visitors.

Petrified Forest National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique and visually stunning adventure...particularly if you enjoy the desert Southwest. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, Petrified Forest National Park offers an unforgettable journey into the wonders of the natural world.

After growing up in Arizona my whole life, I finally made a visit here to Petrified Forest National Park. I got my first National Parks Pass a few years back and have been driving all over Arizona to visit parks that I have never been to. This is a very unique national park that includes a 28 mile drive from end to end with stopping points along the way. There are two entrances into the park on the north and south side. Both sides have visitor centers with information about the park and park rangers on hand to answer questions. The nearest city to Petrified Forest National Park is Holbrook.

The Petrified Forest is known for its Triassic fossils. These large deposits of petrified wood are very colorful and are deposited all over the park. Many of these fallen trees are millions of years old. President Theodore Roosevelt made the Petrified Forest a national monument in 1906. It became a National Park in 1962. The park is very colorful and includes the Painted Desert area and conical hills called tepees. The earliest human inhabitants lived here thousands of years ago which has led to the discovery of many archeological sites, including petroglyphs.

My favorite thing about visiting National Parks is finding good hikes. Majority of the hikes here in Petrified Forest are short and easy to walk on. The Blue Mesa is my favorite hike. It is a one mile loop trail on a mixed paved and gravel path that goes through hills of bluish bentonite clay. It is such a beautiful hike. Giants Logs trail is short and located behind the Rainbow Forest Museum and includes the popular "Old Faithful" log. You can see an old pueblo and petroglyphs on the Puerco Pueblo trail. The Tawa Trail is near the Painted Desert Visitor Center.

Near the north end of Petrified Forest National Park is the beautiful cliffs and hills of the Painted Desert. Route 66 used to run through the park and an old 1932 Studebaker sits on the former road. Overall you can drive through the park in about an hour unless you make a bunch of stops like I did. Activities include hiking, backpacking (with permit), cycling, horseback riding and geocaching. The visitor centers have fossils you can check out and gift shops.

There is no RV, car, or front country camping in the park. Dogs are allowed but have to be on a leash. It is illegal to take petrified wood out of the park.

Out in the middle of the desert is a national park. Spectacular vistas of painted rock, vast dry river valleys, unearthed dinosaurs, and ancient civilizations lie before us. We have driven through it twice, getting through in a few hours. If we walked in, we could disappear forever. Williams, just down the road, is a good stop for lunch or dinner.

At the Puerco Pueblo in the park, as well as the buildings and petroglyphs, there is a set of interpretive signs that led me to imagine life in what was a marshland centuries ago. To generations that lived here, this was the world.

Highly recommend. Great views and many places to stop for photos. Great trails too if you want to walk. 28 mile drive through the park. A bit pricy.

Petrified Forest National Park can be found along Route 66 and is dog friendly (this national park also has a "Bark Ranger" program in which your pet will get a free treat. You can also buy special Bark Ranger pet tags). Dogs are welcomed on all developed trails throughout the park.

My husband, our little girl dog and I visited this national park during March and went on a few of the paved trails. On one of the light hikes, I recall reading one of the information boards how trees underwent a petrification process. Over 218 millions years ago (during the Triassic period... where dinosaurs first appeared on the earth), fallen trees crisscrossed the river channel. Over time, flooding buried some of those logs in layers of silt (which is sand, clay or other material that is carried by running water and deposited as sediment). Over time, silica enriched the ground water and eventually replaced the organic molecules in the wood that created a replica in quartz (which petrified wood is mainly made up of).

There are various different colors of wood that you will see at this national park. If you see red, yellow, orange and purple then that means that oxides iron is within the tree, which gives the color you see. If you see black and grey, then the tree has oxide manganese. If you see white, then this means this tree or part of the tree is pure quartz. These colors made for a very visually appealing sight.

You will see broken pieces of trees that look like tree stumps. But these trees/ logs were not cut but actually cracked and broke on its own.

There are a handful of easy trails to walk (and yes they are paved so it should be easy for both you and your dog). We also saw some petroglyphs in the petroglyph canyon. But please note that because this area is all rocks and jagged, this is not a dog appropriate trail. But because we have a special dog backpack for our little girl, she just went along with us on my husband's back as we explored and took photos of the many unique designs/ carvings.

If you plan on coming here with your 4 legged pal, I would recommend hiking shoes for your pet. The paths can be very hot if you come during the warmer months and also you want to make sure your pet's paws are protected (our little girl hikes with us pretty often so she has little hiking boots) from any sharp surfaces.

It cost $25 per private vehicle or $15 per person if you walk in. If you plan on visiting other national parks in one year, you may want to consider getting the America the Beautiful pass (cost $80) that allows for you and three others admission to all the national parks and national monuments (that is valid for 12 months). If you visit about 4 national parks in one year, you will make your money's worth.

Go to the Blue Mesa for sure. It's so beautiful. The petrified trees are so awesome to see up close at the crystal forest. So much interesting history and a variety of things to explore here. It was my 49th national park and it's definitely in my top 5.

"At first I was afraid, I was PETRIFIED..."

I have visited, stepped on, and hiked tirelessly Petrified Forest National Park, stretching for miles on both sides of Interstate 40 and located near the town of Holbrook in Northern Arizona, the second time. It was like rediscovering a hidden gem in the vast desert landscape. The park's unique beauty is etched in time, with ancient logs transformed into colorful, petrified stone, each telling a silent tale of a prehistoric era.

The petrified wood, for which the park is renowned, continues to fascinate onlookers. The Crystal Forest is a must-see, with its glittering logs strewn across the desert floor, reminiscent of a crystalline forest frozen in time. The intricate details of the petrified wood, with the vibrant colors of minerals that replaced the organic matter, are a testament to the forces of nature at work over time.

I can't help but be captivated by the Painted Desert's mesmerizing hues, where the sun paints the sky in a stunning array of colors during sunrise and sunset. The vast, open landscapes invite introspection and wonder, presenting a perfect spot for reflection.

The Blue Mesa Trail, a winding descent into a canyon of petrified wood, is a highlight one should not missed. Walking amidst the petrified logs, I can't help but marveled at the fine patterns of the crystallized remains. The landscape feels like an art canvas, pieced together with a palette of reds, purples, and oranges.

Chasing the shadows of the past at Newspaper Rock, adorned with ancient petroglyphs, adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the visit. It's like deciphering messages left behind by those who walked these lands long before us.

As a return visitor, the park's enduring charm unfolded once again, revealing new perspectives and hidden corners. Petrified Forest National Park remains a testament to the wonders of nature and the passage of time, inviting visitors like me to pause and appreciate the timeless beauty etched into the heart of the Arizona desert.

This was probably the most disappointing national park I have been to so far. I didn't really have many expectations going in, and it still managed to not meet them. The Petrified Forest drive itself was nice, but that's about where it stops. We started at the entrance with the visitor center, and we felt like many of the views were what you could see at the Grand Canyon, only not as magnificent.

We stopped at Newspaper Rock, and you could vaguely see some of the petroglyphs from the vista point. I completely understand why you can't get super close, but I still felt like they left you so far away to really appreciate them.

The Crystal Forest was cool. A bunch of crystallized logs that you get to walk through. But once you see one, they're all pretty much the same. Which was pretty much the gist of this park.

I feel like for a park that's been a national park since 1962, it would've been more developed and involved. It felt more like a highway with occasional stops on the side of the road than a national park. If you're a huge fan of these crystallized trees, then this stop is perfect for you. Otherwise, you'd be better off enjoying the Grand Canyon and skipping this park. Unless you, like us, want to see all 63. If that's the case, just be prepared for a less impressive park.