Petrified Forest National Park

I was East bound and entered from the 180 entrance. I am really happy that I did. There was much less traffic traveling Northbound in the park. The views were amazing. The short walking paths made viewing the petrified forests up close very pleasant and beautiful. The way that the painted desert came into view was stunning. All of the park staff that I encountered were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

This National Forest is amazing! I was not sure what to expect and it turned out to be one of my favorite cross country stops. It is amazing to see the illustrated history of generational change and the absolutely stunning views. There was an abundance of petrified wood and the painted desert was jaw dropping.

A unique place! Definitely worth a visit once in a lifetime. The park is very large, with plenty of places to stop and plenty of hiking trails. Plan to spend a whole day here, and be sure to bring your own food—there are no restaurants here.

Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the United States. It offers a completely unique landscape filled with colorful badlands, ancient petrified wood, and rich history that many people don’t expect. The park stretches between two entrances (North and South), and it’s highly recommended to drive through the entire park to experience all the major highlights. The scenic drive itself is peaceful and very well maintained. In the Painted Desert area (North side), you’ll find stunning overlooks with layered colors that look especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset. The Painted Desert Rim Trail is an easy walk with excellent views. The southern section features the most famous petrified wood areas such as Crystal Forest, Giant Logs, Jasper Forest, and Agate Bridge, where you can see massive petrified logs up close along short walking trails. Blue Mesa is a must-visit spot with vibrant blue, purple, and gray badlands. You can either drive the loop road or walk the short trail to fully experience the colors and formations. The park also includes important cultural and historical sites like Puerco Pueblo, where you can see ancient pueblo remains and petroglyphs. Most trails here are short and easy, making the park suitable for families and casual visitors. You can explore the main highlights comfortably in half a day, or spend more time if you enjoy hiking and photography. Overall, Petrified Forest National Park is a peaceful, scenic, and educational destination and is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you appreciate unique landscapes and history.

This place was just too beautiful and fascinating to capture. Will just share a few pics of our visit recently in Jan 2026. The temp was in the 40's and 50's which was actually perfect. Honestly, would be very challenging to walk the trails during the height of summer in addition to the large crowds. We drove the 28 miles of the whole park to experience the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. Very much worth the visit. We just walked a few trails that are paved for safely walking. Bring walking shoes/ boots, water and best to dress in layers. My hoodie was perfect. Allow a day or most of the day to stop and visit the outlooks to enjoy the amazing scenery. It starts to get dark around 5. We spent 2 nights at the Delta Motel on Route 66 that we used as our base. Note the Petrified wood with the quartz crystals that are millions of years old. I am always fascinated by the vegetation that survives these harsh climates. Note the colors of the rocks and sand. Go visit....