Petrified Forest National Park
Rainbow–striped logs of 225-million-year-old quartzized wood glow in late-day light at Petrified Forest National Park.
🌲 Park Overview
Straddling historic Route 66 in northeast Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park protects one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood—Triassic-era trees turned to sparkling stone. Beyond its famous Rainbow Forest, the park also showcases the surreal badlands of the Painted Desert, 600+ ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites, and a 28-mile scenic drive that links short hikes, roadside petroglyphs, and pastel badland overlooks. Open year-round with no campgrounds but easy backcountry permits, Petrified Forest offers a perfect half-day road-trip stop or a multi-day off-trail backpack into striped wilderness.
🌟 Fun Facts
Petrified logs here are so dense (2.4× heavier than water) that early settlers used them as building blocks—and even attempted to dynamite them for quartz gemstones.
The park sits astride the historic Route 66 alignment; a rusty 1932 Studebaker shell marks the old roadbed.
215-million-year-old reptile fossils (e.g., phytosaurs, metoposaurs) emerge regularly from the Chinle Formation clay.
Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2018—night-sky quality rivals many remote deserts.
📅 Best Time to Visit
Spring (March – May): 45–75 °F, breezy weather. Blooming globemallow & cliffrose, perfect hiking temps. Afternoon winds 40 mph+; dust devils.
Summer (June – August): 65–95 °F, low humidity. Monsoon thunderheads, dramatic sunsets, paleontology digs. Mid-day heat; trails close for lightning.
Fall (September – October): 50–80 °F. Crystal-clear skies, fewer crowds. Early cold snaps possible.
Winter (November – February): 25–55 °F. Snow-dusted logs & badlands, solitude. Visitor centers close 5 p.m.; icy roads after storms.
🎯 Things to Do
Families:
- Giant Logs Trail behind Rainbow Forest VC—see "Old Faithful" log (10 ft diameter)
- Junior Ranger & Junior Paleontologist books; earn dino-bone badge
- Pick up free Triassic Park scavenger hunt card at Painted Desert VC
Adventure-Seekers:
- Backcountry day-hike the off-trail Blue Forest Route (3 mi) through pastel hoodoos
- Overnight Painted Desert Wilderness Loop (10 mi off-trail; free permit) for star-filled bivy on red mesas
- Bike the full Route 66 alignment across park (21 mi) at sunrise
Photographers:
- Sunrise at Agate Bridge—first rays ignite log rainbow bands
- Blue-hour pastels at Blue Mesa Badlands boardwalk
- Milky Way arch over Painted Desert Inn (summer new moon)
🥾 Top Trails & Points
Crystal Forest Loop: 0.8 mi paved - Dense rainbow logs, easy stroller roll.
Blue Mesa Trail: 1.3 mi loop / 120 ft - Asphalt switchbacks into purple-blue bentonite hills.
Agate House: 2.0 mi RT - 700-yr Puebloan log-block structure.
Painted Desert Rim: 1.0 mi RT - Panoramic striped badlands & Route 66 trace.