Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail

Both trails begin from the Rainbow Forest Museum located at the southern entrance of the National Park. Start with the Giant Logs trail which will take you on a short .4 mi paved loop through magnificently colored wood. Make sure to stop at the top of the trail by "Old Faithful" which is almost 10' wide. From there, travel NE on Petrified Forest Road to the Long Logs trailhead. Only the first h...

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. ...

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...

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...

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...

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...