Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona and features one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. The Chinle Formation or multi-hued badlands of the park are known locally as the Painted Desert with historic structures, archeological sites and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils. The Formation is a graveyard where ancient volcanic ash and minerals like manganese and iron oxide have stained the landscape into the vibrant Painted Desert. These multi-hued badlands are more than just a scenic backdrop; they are a geological archive containing one of the world’s most dense collections of late Triassic fossils – ranging from massive conifers to prehistoric reptiles. Because the park’s history spans from these ancient fossils to ancient Indian sites like Puerco Pueblo, the terrain is strictly protected. While day hikes through the developed loops offer a glimpse into this history, the 50,260 acres of established wilderness provide a much deeper, silent immersion into the desert’s rawest form.

The backcountry of the Petrified Forest National Park includes acres of established wilderness but day hikes are the most popular way to explore the backcountry. The trails like Crystal Forest or Blue Mesa lead you through a landscape where wood has literally turned to stone, shimmering with quartz, jasper, and manganese. The “Off the Beaten Path” routes, such as the Blue Forest or Jasper Forest hikes allow you to leave the paved loops and navigate via GPS or landmarks through striped badlands that look like a painted canvas. Water and shade are scarce in the backcountry, so take plenty of water, a hat, and sun screen.  No campgrounds or lodging are available in the park, but nearby communities offer full service accommodations. Overnight backpacking is available in the Petrified Forest Wilderness. A free permit is required and can be obtained at the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum.