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Best trails in Petrified Forest National Park

Best trails in Petrified Forest National Park

4.5(14,504 reviews)

·

United States
#38 of 60 national parks

Petrified Forest National Park is located in Arizona, about 1.5 hours' drive from Flagstaff. This underrated park has a lot to explore! Here, you'll encounter the largest petrified trees in the world, set in a beautiful desert landscape. The striped hills of the Painted Desert, formed by the erosion of sandstone deposits from millions of years ago, gives everything an otherworldly appearance. Trails like Blue Mesa let you explore the blue and purple badland hills up close. You'll also find interesting rock formations, desert plants and wildlife, Pueblo ruins, and petroglyphs here!

The colorful fossilized wood you see in the park formed from trees that lived more than 220 million years ago! After the trees fell, they got covered with sediment. Then, very slowly, their organic matter got replaced by minerals like quartz and opal. Several short trails in the park lead to the most vibrant and largest examples of petrified wood. Many of these hikes are family-friendly and easily accessible from Petrified Forest Road.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit the park to avoid the hottest temperatures, but it's beautiful to visit year-round. Plus, Petrified Forest is one of the few national parks that allow dogs, so feel free to bring your dog along for the adventure!

There is an entrance fee to visit Petrified Forest National Park, which you can pay in person at the park entrances.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Open 7 days a week
Passes & fees
Starting at $15
Accessibility
General park hours
Every day • 8 am–5 pm
Exceptions
Park Closed Thanksgiving.
Nov 27, 2025 • Closed
Park Closed Christmas.
Dec 25, 2025 • Closed
Phone
(928) 524-6228
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

Admits one or two passengers on a single private, non-commercial motorcycle. Valid for 7 days.

$20
Non-commercial Groups

Capacity of 16 or more $15/person. Anyone that is 15 or younger is exempt from paying an entrance fee, in addition to anyone with a valid pass. A pass may cover immediate family members or up to 4 people traveling with the group.

A non-commercial organized group is a group traveling together, such as scouts, a club, a church, or other group that has organized its own itinerary. Fees are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board, and are valid for 7 days.

$15
Per Person

Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Valid for 7 days.

$15
Private Vehicle

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Valid for 7 days.

$25
Annual pass
Park

Come here often? Consider purchasing an annual pass. The park's annual pass costs $45 and is valid at Petrified Forest National Park. It admits the pass owner and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass is available to purchase in the park at the entrance stations and is good for one year from the month of issue.

$45
All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.

The Rainbow Forest Museum and Painted Desert Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Orientation films include open captioning.

Additional information about accessibility at Petrified Forest National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Facilities

The Rainbow Forest Museum and Painted Desert Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Orientation films include open captioning.

The Chinde Point Picnic Area is wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.

There are accessible restrooms at the following locations: Painted Desert Diner, Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, Puerco Pueblo, and the Rainbow Forest Curio Shop.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Parks

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Petrified Forest National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Petrified Forest National Park is Blue Mesa Trail, which has a 4.8 star rating from 3,433 reviews. This trail is 1.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 114 ft.

What is the longest trail in Petrified Forest National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Petrified Forest National Park is Pilot Rock. This trail is estimated to be 17.3 mi long.

How many trails are in Petrified Forest National Park?

There are 19 trails in Petrified Forest National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 14,504 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Petrified Forest National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Petrified Forest National Park has you covered. Pilot Rock boasts the most elevation gain with 1,715 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Petrified Forest Scenic Drive, which will get you 974 ft of elevation gain.

Are there running trails available in Petrified Forest National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 running trail in Petrified Forest National Park which is First Forest Point with an average 3.8 star rating from 43 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Petrified Forest National Park?

Some popular summer hiking trails in Petrified Forest National Park are Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Giant Logs Trail, Painted Desert Rim Trail, and Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail.

What are the best fall hikes in Petrified Forest National Park?

Some popular fall hiking trails in Petrified Forest National Park are Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Painted Desert Rim Trail, Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail, and Historic Blue Forest Trail.

What are the best winter hikes in Petrified Forest National Park?

Some popular winter hiking trails in Petrified Forest National Park are Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Historic Blue Forest Trail, Painted Desert Rim Trail, and Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail.

What are the best spring hikes in Petrified Forest National Park?

Some popular spring hiking trails in Petrified Forest National Park are Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail, Painted Desert Rim Trail, and Historic Blue Forest Trail.

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 3 trails with scenic mountain peak views in Petrified Forest National Park, including Crystal Forest Trail, Petrified Forest Scenic Drive, and Pilot Rock.

Are there any trails with cliffs in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 3 trails with cliffs in Petrified Forest National Park, including Painted Desert Rim Trail, Onyx Bridge Trail, and Petrified Forest Scenic Drive.

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 5 trails with scenic viewpoints in Petrified Forest National Park, including Blue Mesa Trail, Crystal Forest Trail, Petrified Forest Scenic Drive, Old Jasper Forest Road, and Newspaper Rock Viewpoint.

Are there any trails with rivers in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 6 trails with rivers in Petrified Forest National Park, including Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail, Onyx Bridge Trail, Petrified Forest Scenic Drive, Agate House Trail, and Devil's Playground Loop.

Are there any trails with archaeological sites in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 2 trails with archaeological sites in Petrified Forest National Park, including Puerco Pueblo Trail and Newspaper Rock Viewpoint.

Are there any trails with historical ruins in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with historical ruins in Petrified Forest National Park: Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail.

Are there any trails with sun shelters in Petrified Forest National Park?

Yes, there are 2 trails with sun shelters in Petrified Forest National Park, including Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail and Agate House Trail.