Exploring Petrified Forest National Park: Best Tips + Activities

Some places capture the imagination in unexpected ways, and exploring Petrified Forest National Park is the perfect way to experience this. Sitting in the heart of Northern Arizona, this unique park offers a fascinating blend of ancient history, national park nostalgia, and landscapes that feel like stepping into another world.

For many, it’s a short stop, a quick detour off Petrified Forest Road, and a scenic drive before heading to Grand Canyon National Park or Monument Valley. But if you take the time to explore, you’ll find a great place bursting with color, history, and science that brings prehistoric times to life.

Podcast Episode Overview

Alright, buckle up friends, because we’re diving headfirst into the quirky charm of Petrified Forest National Park! Let’s forget those big-name parks for a minute and talk about this hidden gem that deserves to be more than just a pit stop on your Route 66 adventure.

This is such a cool park, but it is often overlooked. We’re here to spill all the secrets and share why this park is absolutely worth visiting and everything that makes it so cool!

Here’s what we’ll cover:

The colors of the Painted Desert and how they’ll make you feel like you’re in a Kung Fu movie
The iconic Route 66 pullout, where you can literally stand on a piece of Americana and snap a pic with a vintage Studebaker
The lowdown on Holbrook, Arizona, the ultimate Route 66 town, and why it’s basically Radiator Springs in real life (plus John’s genius diner idea!)
The Blue Mesa trail, where you can hike through a landscape of blue badlands and petrified wood (just watch the clock!)
The secret to exploring the Jasper Forest off-the-beaten-path routes and why you need to grab a map from the visitor center

Petrified Forest is a park that demands a little extra attention, but trust us, it’s worth it. There really is something for everyone at this park! And hey, if you’re feeling inspired to open that Route 66/Pulp Fiction/Cars diner, you know where to find us!

Your task for today: Tell us what you are more excited about when you go to Petrified Forest. Is it the Route 66 experience or the petrified wood? Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know!

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Listen here.

Singing Your Way to Winslow, Arizona

Before we dive into Petrified Forest National Park, let’s set the stage. Our journey to the park included a trip through some iconic surrounding area stops that we highly recommend, including the towns of Holbrook and Winslow, Arizona. And if you’re going to Winslow, there’s only one song you should be playing on repeat: Take It Easy by the Eagles!

John made sure our kids knew every word before we got there. After all, how could we stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, without being fully prepared to sing along?

From there, you can continue east, passing through Flagstaff, the stunning landscapes of Walnut Canyon and Puerco Pueblo Loop before arriving at your first stop: Petrified Forest National Park.

The Painted Desert

When you enter Petrified Forest National Park from the north entrance, your first stop is the Painted Desert. If you came expecting to see petrified wood immediately, you’ll have to wait a little longer, but the views here make up for it. Rolling hills stretch into the distance, layered with deep maroons, soft purples, and reds that shift with the light. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and one of the best places to experience Northern Arizona’s unique beauty.

Along this stretch, you’ll find The Painted Desert Inn, a national historic landmark that now serves as a museum, and viewpoints that offer sweeping panoramas. The Painted Desert Visitor Center in this area also houses fossil exhibits, setting the stage for the park’s deeper geological story.

Route 66 Meets Petrified Forest National Park

As you continue driving, you’ll pass the original route of Route 66, where an old 1936 Studebaker marks the portion of the historic route that once passed through this area. For history buffs and Cars movie fans, this quick stop is a must!

The town of Holbrook, the nearest town to the park, is a Route 66 relic itself, with classic diners, neon signs, and the legendary Wigwam Motel, which, yes, inspired the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars. If you want to lean into the full nostalgia of the trip, this is a great place to stay!

The Heart of the Park: Petrified Wood and Otherworldly Landscapes

South of Route 66, the landscape shifts again. Here, you finally start seeing the park’s namesake: massive petrified logs turned to stone. These logs, some over 200 million years old, have transformed into stunning organic material formations filled with quartz, jasper, and colorful bands of iron and volcanic ash.

One of the top things to do in the park is hike the Blue Mesa Trail. Walking down into these bluish-gray badlands feels like stepping onto another planet. The bentonite clay hills create an almost alien landscape, and the mile trail winds through petrified wood, adding to the prehistoric feel.

This is easily one of our top hiking picks, especially in the golden light of late afternoon. Just remember, this National Park Service site closes earlier than most, so plan accordingly!

For those looking for a more immersive experience, the Jasper Forest Overlook offers an off-the-beaten-path trail where you can walk among scattered wood pieces without the crowds. You’ll need to stop at the visitor center for the route information, as it’s an unmarked back trail. This was one of our best ways to experience the park, standing among massive crystallized logs in near silence, seeing the tiny details and rings in the wood that had turned to stone over millions of years.

If you want to see the most vibrant colors in the petrified logs, the Crystal Forest Trail is your stop. Some pieces here shimmer with deep reds, oranges, purples, and even hints of cobalt blue. The short trail makes it an easy hike and an accessible way to get close to these ancient trees.

At Long Logs Trail, you’ll see entire trees lying where they fell millions of years ago, still largely intact. We measured one at 150 feet long! Meanwhile, the Giant Logs Trail lets you stand next to the massive stumps of ancient trees, some over six feet in diameter.

As you exit the park through the south entrance, you’ll pass several gift shop options selling petrified wood from private land. This is your chance to legally bring a small piece home! From tiny shards for pocket change to full polished slabs, the variety of what you can purchase is impressive.

Is Petrified Forest National Park Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! While it may not have the grandeur of Grand Canyon National Park, it offers an experience unlike any other national park. Whether you’re drawn to the science, the colors, or the nostalgia of the original route of Route 66, there’s something here for every kind of traveler.

We hope you enjoy your adventure to Petrified Forest National Park!

Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

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