Outbound Collective logo

Petrified Forest, Arizona

Looking for the best hiking in Petrified Forest? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Petrified Forest. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Petrified Forest

  • Chambers, Arizona

    Blue Mesa Trail

    4.5
    0.98 mi / 115 ft gain
    The easiest route is to drive from the southern entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park and head north toward the 3.5 mile Blue Mesa Scenic Drive.  The drive itself is nice and offers other hikes depending on what pullout you stop your car.  For the Blue Mesa Trail look for the 3rd or 4th ...
    Read more
  • Apache County, Arizona

    Drive the Blue Mesa Scenic Road in Petrified Forest National Park

    4.3
    3 mi
    This is probably one of the most scenic drives in the Petrified Forest National Park.  From the main road, the loop is only three miles long.  There are many pullouts along the loop where you can get out of your vehicle to snap some photos.  You will see many large pieces of petrified wood strewn...
    Read more
  • Chambers, Arizona

    Blue Forest Trail

    4.7
    2.55 mi / 243 ft gain
    Although short, the Blue Forest Trail is one of the most unexpectedly coolest hikes I've been on.  It's kind of strange to hike in what used to be a dense forest/swamp area that is now a barren desert full of petrified wood. Parking for this trail is just north of the Blue Mesa Loop in a pullout...
    Read more
  • Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

    Painted Desert Rim Trail

    1.24 mi / 121 ft gain
    Painted Desert Rim Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Chambers, Arizona.
    Read more
  • Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

    Backpack the Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park

    9.55 mi / 804 ft gain
    The Painted Desert is sprawling, its reach extends from the Four Corners, west to the Grand Canyon and south to Petrified Forest National Park. In total it encompasses 7,500 square miles and is full of colorful mesas that are worthy of its name. In Petrified Forest National Park you can head out ...
    Read more
  • Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

    Crystal Forest Loop

    4.3
    0.92 mi / 49 ft gain
    There really isn't much to this hike beyond exploring all the different types of petrified wood deposits.  It's named after the wood that has formed in the petrified logs.  I felt like it was the best place to go in the park to have an opportunity to see a diverse array of petrified wood in one p...
    Read more
  • Holbrook, Arizona

    Hike the Giant Logs and Long Logs trail to the Agate House

    4.0
    3 mi
    Both trails begin from the Rainbow Forest Museum located at the southern entrance of the National Park. Start with the Giant Logs trail which will take you on a short .4 mi paved loop through magnificently colored wood. Make sure to stop at the top of the trail by "Old Faithful" which is almost 1...
    Read more

Top Activities