Attractions and Places To See in Petrified Forest National Park - Top 19

To experience the park's famous petrified wood, consider the Old Faithful giant petrified log trail, a 0.4-mile roundtrip featuring some of the largest and most colorful logs, including the prominent "Old Faithful." Another excellent option is the Blue Mesa Trail, a 1.4-kilometer loop where you can hike among unique bluish bentonite clay badlands and observe petrified wood, with a chance to spot fossils.

For spectacular panoramic views of the Painted Desert, head to Kachina Point. This viewpoint also serves as the trailhead for the Painted Desert Rim Trail, offering a chance to walk along the rim and take in the vibrant, eroded badlands with their striking hues of red, white, pink, and blue.

Yes, the park is rich in human history. You can explore Puerco Pueblo & petroglyphs, a 0.3-mile paved trail leading to the remains of a 100-room Ancestral Puebloan compound and ancient petroglyphs. Another significant site is Newspaper Rock, which preserves over 650 petroglyphs, some dating back more than 2,000 years. The Agate House, an eight-room pueblo built almost entirely from petrified wood, also showcases the innovative use of local materials by ancient inhabitants.

Many trails are suitable for families. The Blue Mesa Trail is considered family-friendly, offering an engaging loop through unique badlands. The Old Faithful giant petrified log trail is a short, easy walk perfect for all ages. The Rainbow Forest Museum at the south entrance provides informative exhibits on fossils and prehistoric animals, which can be very engaging for children.

Yes, the park offers some accessible options. The trail to see the Old Faithful giant petrified log is noted as being good for wheelchair users. Additionally, the Puerco Pueblo & petroglyphs trail is a paved, 0.3-mile loop, making it more accessible for many visitors.

Petrified Forest National Park offers various outdoor activities, primarily hiking. You can find several routes, including the easy Jasper Forest Trail, the scenic Painted Desert Rim Trail, and the Crystal Forest Trail. For more options and detailed routes, check out the Hiking in Petrified Forest National Park guide.

The park is accessible year-round, but spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant weather for exploring, with milder temperatures. Summer can be very hot, while winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional snow, which can create a unique landscape but may affect trail conditions.

Most visitors spend half a day to a full day exploring the main attractions. A full day allows you to drive the scenic road, stop at various overlooks, hike a few trails like Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest, and visit the museums. If you're short on time, a few hours can cover the highlights along the main park road.

Yes, dogs are generally allowed on trails in Petrified Forest National Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. The Blue Mesa Trail is specifically mentioned as being dog-friendly.

Beyond the petrified wood, the park is famous for its stunning badlands formations, particularly in the Painted Desert area. These highly eroded hills of bentonite clay display incredible colors. You can also see unique formations like The Teepees, conical rock structures with horizontal banding, and the natural bridge formed by Agate Bridge, a petrified log spanning a wash.

Yes, the park preserves an original segment of the historic Route 66. A rusty 1932 Studebaker marks the spot where the "Mother Road" once crossed the main park road, offering a nostalgic point of interest for those interested in American road trip history.

The Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center, located at the park's south entrance, offers extensive exhibits on petrified wood, fossils, and prehistoric animals. It's an excellent starting point to understand the geological processes that shaped the park. The Painted Desert Visitor Center at the north entrance also provides information and sometimes features paleontologists at work.