Petrified Forest National Park
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Photograph the Agate Bridge
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
3.0
For centuries the Agate Bridge, a 110 ft stone log, has laid across an arrow withstanding corrosion from the elements. The stone log is harder than the surrounding sandstone that it's perched upon. The sandstone is slowly eroding away around this natural bridge. making it vulnerable to collapse. In 1911 a group of conservationists felt that the Agate Bridge needed architectural support and i...
Old Jasper Forest Road
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
2.6 mi
/ 177 ft gain
Old Jasper Forest Road is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona.
Blue Forest Trail
Chambers, Arizona
4.7
2.55 mi
/ 243 ft gain
Although short, the Blue Forest Trail is one of the most unexpectedly coolest hikes I've been on. It's kind of strange to hike in what used to be a dense forest/swamp area that is now a barren desert full of petrified wood.
Parking for this trail is just north of the Blue Mesa Loop in a pullout near the Tepees. There is an old gravel road that you follow on foot until you find the trail. Fr...
Blue Hills Loop
Chambers, Arizona
2.44 mi
/ 240 ft gain
Blue Hills Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Chambers, Arizona.
Drive the Blue Mesa Scenic Road in Petrified Forest National Park
Apache County, Arizona
4.3
3 mi
This is probably one of the most scenic drives in the Petrified Forest National Park. From the main road, the loop is only three miles long. There are many pullouts along the loop where you can get out of your vehicle to snap some photos. You will see many large pieces of petrified wood strewn across the landscape. You will also find information signs posted along the loop explaining the hi...
Crystal Forest Loop
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
4.3
0.92 mi
/ 49 ft gain
There really isn't much to this hike beyond exploring all the different types of petrified wood deposits. It's named after the wood that has formed in the petrified logs. I felt like it was the best place to go in the park to have an opportunity to see a diverse array of petrified wood in one place.
If you go in the summer just make sure you carry water because you're completely exposed.
...
Blue Mesa Trail
Chambers, Arizona
4.5
0.98 mi
/ 115 ft gain
The easiest route is to drive from the southern entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park and head north toward the 3.5 mile Blue Mesa Scenic Drive. The drive itself is nice and offers other hikes depending on what pullout you stop your car. For the Blue Mesa Trail look for the 3rd or 4th pullout - the one with the covered picnic table.
The hike itself is easy and flat. You'll notice...
Puerco Pueblo Trail
Chambers, Arizona
0.3 mi
/ 16 ft gain
Puerco Pueblo Trail is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona.
Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail
Holbrook, Arizona
2.15 mi
/ 62 ft gain
Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Woodruff, Arizona.
Places to stay
Navajo County, Arizona
Lewis Canyon
Overview
Lewis Canyon is a large single-group campsite located in the scenic White Mountains region of eastern Arizona. With several amen...
Apache County, Arizona
Caldwell Cabin
Overview
Caldwell Cabin allows up to six visitors to step back in time to a more rustic and historical era in eastern Arizona. Originally...
Apache County, Arizona
Rainbow (Az)
Overview
Rainbow is the largest campground in the Big Lake Recreation Area in eastern Arizona. Because of its proximity to the lake, size...
Apache County, Arizona
Apache Trout Campground
Overview
Apache Trout Campground is one of five campgrounds at the Big Lake Recreation Area in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and is ...
Quick links
- The best hiking trails in Petrified Forest National Park
- The best backpacking in Petrified Forest National Park
- The best camping in Petrified Forest National Park
- Top adventures in Petrified Forest National Park
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