The Petrified Forest National Park is a unique and fascinating destination located in northeastern Arizona. It’s renowned for its stunning displays of petrified wood, which are ancient trees that have turned into stone over millions of years. The picture below on the right was from our first trip over 30 years ago. We have changed a lot, the place really hasn’t.
🌵 Petrified Forest National Park
A seriously underrated national park in northeastern Arizona—known for its colorful badlands and ancient fossilized trees that look like crystalized logs. We started with the Giant log trail just behind the south entrance visitor center.
🌈 What makes it unique
- One of the only national parks you can drive straight through (easy to visit in half a day)
- Home to massive deposits of petrified wood (over 200 million years old)
- Includes the painted desert—rolling hills in reds, purples, and blues
- Much less crowded than places like the Grand Canyon
- Also one of the only National Parks that allows dogs.
📍 Must-see spots (driving south → north).
🏜️ Blue Mesa Trail
This was our favorite hike in the park.
- One of the most photogenic areas
- Short loop trail through blue/purple badlands + scattered petrified logs
🎨 Painted Desert has a great rim trail that is easy and short.
- Best viewpoints right near the north entrance
- Especially good at sunrise/sunset