5 Petrified Forest National Park Trails You Won’t Want to Miss

Experience the beauty of the desert landscape

Petrified Forest National Park is an American treasure that should be on everyone's bucket list. Established as a national park in 1962, it is named after its expansive deposits of petrified wood.

Petrified wood is created when trees are buried by sediment and protected from oxygen and decay. Over time, the water in the sediment dissolves the tree's organic matter and replaces it with minerals, creating a fossil. 

Many of these fossilized trees are over 200 million years old and continue to be unearthed today.

Petrified Forest is also known for its diverse landscape.  The park includes badlands, grasslands, and desert ecosystems. These ecosystems support hundreds of different species of plants and animals, including the endangered pronghorn antelope.

With more than 200,000 acres of land to explore, there are plenty of opportunities to see many different plants and animals on the miles of hiking trails. 

Here are five of the best trails in Petrified Forest National Park. Keep in mind any trail requires a park pass to use.

Giant Logs Trail

Get up close and personal with the petrified trees and logs and learn about the process of petrification on this short loop trail.

Grab a brochure, take a self-guided tour, learn how these million-year-old logs continue to be studied, and provide information about climate change and the Earth's geology. 

If you have additional questions or want to get out of the sun, visit the visitors center and their knowledgeable staff after your hike.

Total Distance: 0.62 miles

Elevation Gain: 36 feet

Difficulty: Easy - Walking, Hiking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info: 

• This trail is behind the visitors center and is an informational trail more than a hiking trail
• This trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible
• Dogs must be leashed on this trail
• Little to no shade on this trail

Onyx Bridge Trail

The vast open desert is here to greet you on this trail as you hike to one of the most iconic sites in Petrified Forest National Park, Onyx Bridge.

While the bridge has collapsed and isn't passable anymore, the views of the badlands and Chinle Formation are breathtaking. The Chinle Formation is a type of rock made from sediment deposited in an ancient river system and full of fossils.

You might not see any plants or animals on this trail, but don't let that discourage you as you hike through one of the most unique landscapes in North America.

Total Distance: 4.59 miles

Elevation Gain: 442 feet

Difficulty: Moderate -  Hiking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info: 

• Trail is not marked well — Having a map is recommended
• This train can get very muddy after rain
• Little to no shade on this trail
• Dogs must be leashed on this trail
• Bring lots of water on this trail

Devil's Playground Loop

The Devil's Playground requires a little bit more knowledge to hike as it is a remote and unmarked trail. But don't let that discourage you — this trail has some jaw-dropping views if you’re willing to put in the work to reach them.

Colorful rocks line the trail as you reach the top of the badland formations. Once at the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views. Sunglasses will be your best friend as many of the rocks reflect light and can be harsh on the eyes.

Total Distance: 7.51 miles

Elevation Gain: 475 feet

Difficulty: Moderate -  Hiking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info: 

• A free permit is required to hike Devil's Playground. They can be found at the visitors center
• Dogs must be leashed on this trial
• A GPS or map is recommended for this trail
• This trail has little to no shade
• This trail is very rocky — ensure you bring proper footwear
• Bring lots of water on this trail

Blue Mesa Trail

Descend into the colorful blue badlands that are one of the most iconic sites in Petrified Forest National Park. The rocks in the badlands get their unique color when minerals leach into the Chinle Formation over time. 

The trail is short, but take your time to enjoy the views and learn about the area’s geology. Keep in mind that the hike back out of the badlands is steep.

Total Distance: 0.99 miles

Elevation Gain: 111 feet

Difficulty: Easy -  Hiking, Walking

Route Type: Loop

Other Info: 

• Dogs must be leashed on this trial
• This trail has little to no shade
• The trail is very rocky — ensure you bring proper footwear

Petrified Forest Scenic Drive

While normally we wouldn't recommend driving as the best way to experience a national park, Petrified Forest is an exception.

The 28-mile scenic drive will take you past some of the most iconic sites in the park, including Newspaper Rock, Crystal Forest, and Agate Bridge. 

The proper way to tackle this trail is to pull off at several of the scenic overlooks. This way, you can fully take in the views and learn about the area.

There are many different options on this trail. You can take short hikes to visit petroglyphs, petrified logs, and other ancient relics.

Total Distance: 28.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 977 feet

Difficulty: Easy -  Hiking, Walking

Route Type: Point to Point

Other Info: 

• This trail is built up around driving to different spots and taking short hikes to see many sites in the park
• Make sure you have a full tank of gas as there are no gas stations in the park
• Bring lots of water on this trail
• Your vehicle will be the only shade throughout this hike

No matter your hiking ability, there is a trail for you at Petrified Forest National Park. All of these trails offer breathtaking views and the opportunity to learn about the ancient past.

So get out there and explore! And don't forget your camera to capture all the beauty.