The best walks and hikes in Petrified Forest National Park

The Jasper Forest Trail offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in a landscape dominated by vibrant petrified wood, making it one of the most unique hiking experiences in Petrified Forest National Park. This 1.6-mile (2.6 km) route, with a minimal 83 feet (25 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 42 minutes to complete and is rated easy. You'll wander through a desert valley, past sandy bluffs, and discover massive, colorful petrified logs and countless smaller shards, especially around the Jasper Forest Overlook area.

While the initial descent is straightforward, much of the trail follows an unmaintained old road, meaning the path can be faint and requires some navigational awareness. It's an "Off the Beaten Path" experience, so be ready for self-guided exploration. After rain, the ground can become very slick due to bentonite clay, so check conditions. No specific permits are needed, but always carry water and consider visiting during cooler parts of the day.

What truly sets this trail apart is its exceptionally dense concentration of petrified wood, considered by many to be the best display in the entire park. Historically known as the "First Forest," it was the initial large accumulation of petrified wood encountered by early visitors. The route also follows an abandoned 1930s road, adding a historical layer to your exploration of this ancient, colorful landscape.

The Painted Desert Rim Trail is an easy 0.8-mile (1.2 km) hike that offers continuous, stunning views of the Painted Desert's vibrant badlands. With only 34 feet (10 metres) of elevation gain, this 19-minute stroll feels like stepping onto another planet, showcasing an undulating landscape of orange, green, and purple formations. The path is a generally smooth, unpaved dirt trail, making it accessible for most, including families, and provides an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in this unique environment.

You can start this route from either Tawa Point or Kachina Point, both of which have parking available. While the trail is straightforward, strong winds are common on the mesa, so packing a windbreaker is a smart move. The views are constantly changing with the light, making any time of day a good time to visit, but early morning or late afternoon often offer the most dramatic colors.

This trail is a fantastic way to experience the geology of the Painted Desert, with its colors resulting from mineral contents deposited over 200 million years ago. It's also a good spot for birdwatching, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom. Don't miss the historic Painted Desert Inn near Kachina Point, a National Historic Landmark with ties to Route 66, adding a layer of cultural history to your natural exploration.

The Petrified Forest Scenic Drive offers an unparalleled journey through a landscape frozen in time, where ancient petrified wood lies scattered across vibrant badlands. You'll hike past millions of years old fossilized logs, particularly stunning at Crystal Forest, and witness the expansive, multicolored vistas of the Painted Desert, with its striking pastel hues. The terrain varies from short-grass prairie to unique geological formations like mesas and hoodoos, providing a constantly changing backdrop for your adventure.

While the entire Petrified Forest Scenic Drive is a difficult 31.6-mile (50.8 km) hike with 915 feet (279 metres) of elevation gain, estimated to take 13 hours and 12 minutes, it also serves as the main access point for numerous shorter trails. Many of these individual routes are easy to moderate, making the park accessible to a wide range of hikers. Always check with the visitor center for current conditions, especially regarding slippery bentonite clay after rain, and consider visiting in the morning or late afternoon for the best light.

This area is a geological and paleontological treasure, boasting one of the world's largest concentrations of petrified wood and offering glimpses into ancient ecosystems and ancestral Puebloan sites. The unique colors of the petrified wood and badlands make for exceptional photographic opportunities, especially for those interested in Petrified Forest Scenic Drive geological features hiking. Adding to its distinctiveness, the park is also the only national park through which historic Route 66 runs, blending natural history with American road trip lore.

The Devil's Playground Loop offers an immersive journey into the remote, otherworldly badlands of Petrified Forest National Park. As you hike, you'll navigate washes and rugged terrain, discovering striking geological formations like hoodoos and magical rock formations. The trail is adorned with fields of ancient petrified wood and crystals, showcasing vibrant blues, purples, and grays, making for a truly unique visual experience.

To embark on this adventure, you'll need a wilderness permit, which can be acquired on the day of your hike from the north visitor center; permits are limited, so plan accordingly. The 3.4-mile (5.4 km) loop, with its 208 feet (63 metres) of elevation gain, is rated easy and typically takes around 1 hour and 26 minutes. Always carry plenty of water, especially between February and November, which is the best time to visit, and remember that dogs are welcome on a leash.

This trail stands out as one of Petrified Forest National Park's most distinctive and secluded hikes, offering a rare chance for solitude amidst its unique geology and paleontological history. It provides an exceptional exploration of the park's ancient past, allowing you to get up close with massive boulders and expansive, colorful scenery that defines the painted desert.