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Best trails in Petrified Forest National Park

Best trails in Petrified Forest National Park

4.5(14,174 reviews)

·

United States
#38 of 60 national parks

Petrified Forest National Park highlights a vast area of badlands filled with history. Known for its fossilized trees, the park also offers stunning desert landscapes of beautiful colors.

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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.

Trail reviews for Petrified Forest National Park

13,338 trailgoers Busiest in April
Jun 20, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat views

The Devils Playground Loop is a 7.5-8 mile loop located within the Petrified Forest National Park. It requires a permit that can be picked up in the visitors center for free. But there are only 5 passes each day. After the first 1.5 miles you will lose all semblance of an actual trail and will need to have the route downloaded on your phone or I can almost guarantee you will get lost. It's absolutely gorgeous and unlike anything else you will see in Arizona or outside of Utah. Highly recommend!! Video of my hike. https://youtu.be/7SICfU9YQ9Y?si=EXWglNOe0UZa4MqM

Devil's Playground Loop
Jun 11, 2025Walking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Hiking at the Petrified Forest National Park. It was a beautiful day hiking around the trails. Bring water and sunscreen.

Crystal Forest Trail
Mar 23, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Really wonderful trail. Probably the best in the whole petrified Forest national Park. It's a very easy trail to walk, but the view is just amazing. And dear the colorful rocks really are something else

Parking: Free, Medium lot
Blue Mesa Trail
Jul 23, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat views

Petrified Forest National Monument- at one of the pull outs before the Blue Mesa! Explore!! It was so fun and I climbed as high as I could! Ground can move easily like marbles under feet- be careful but have a blast!!!

Historic Blue Forest Trail
Jul 24, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Stunning trail. Lots of petrified wood with many colors. Informative signs. Easy, short hike.

Difficulty: Easy
Crystal Forest Trail
Jul 24, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

Absolutely stunning view of blue badlands sprinkled with petrified wood.

Parking: Large lot
Blue Mesa Trail
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 3,315 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 14,174 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 3.9 star rating from 42 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.