Petrified Forest National Park

An otherworldly park in Arizona featuring ancient fossilized trees and vibrant multicolored badlands created from millions of years of geological processes and erosion. The scenic drive and trails showcase unique desert geology and provide insight into prehistoric ecosystems.

Things to do

• Blue Mesa Trail — A 1-mile loop hike through badlands of blue, purple, and gray bentonite clay formations offering panoramic views of layered geological history.
• Painted Desert Scenic Drive — A 28-mile loop road traversing the park's most colorful badlands with multiple pullouts, viewpoints, and photo opportunities along the rim.
• Petrified Forest Trail — A 0.3-mile easy walk among ancient fossilized logs scattered across the desert floor, some dating back 225 million years.
• Newspaper Rock — A natural rock formation covered with over 650 petroglyphs carved by ancestral Puebloans offering insight into indigenous cultures.
• Kachina Point Sunset Viewing — High elevation viewpoint at park entrance providing stunning sunset views over the Painted Desert with vibrant color transitions.
• Route 66 Alignment — Historic stretch of the original Mother Road passes through the park where visitors can walk on the pavement of America's most famous highway.

Food to try

• Navajo Fry Bread — A crispy, fried dough delicacy served with various toppings like beans, cheese, and red chile; a staple of Southwest Native American cuisine available at park concessions.
• Red Chile Stew — A traditional Arizona dish made with roasted red chiles, pork or beef, and potatoes reflecting local Southwestern flavors found in nearby Holbrook restaurants.
• Piki Bread — Thin, traditional Hopi blue cornbread wrapped around beans representing ancestral food traditions of the region's indigenous peoples.

Local customs & good to know

• Arrive Early in Summer — Summer temperatures exceed 100°F with intense sun; plan hikes for early morning or late afternoon and bring ample water for safe exploration.
• Respect Sacred Sites — The park overlaps ancestral lands of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and other tribes; stay on marked trails and do not remove any artifacts or disturb petroglyphs.
• Plan for High Altitude UV — At 5,000+ feet elevation with minimal shade, sunburn and dehydration occur quickly; wear high-SPF sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses even on cloudy days.

Nearby

• Canyon de Chelly — 159 km
• Sedona — 187 km
• Monument Valley — 235 km
• Grand Canyon — 248 km