Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is a surreal landscape of colorful badlands, ancient petroglyphs, and fossilized wood that dates back over 200 million years. The best way to explore this park? By getting out of your car and hiking!
I recently went to Petrified Forest and hiked all the trails in the park to determine the best ones, from short scenic loops to more adventurous trails—plus tips on where to stay nearby.
Top Easy Hiking Trails in Petrified Forest National Park
1. Painted Desert Rim Trail
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Sweeping desert views, Painted Desert Inn, photography
- Why hike it? This is one of the most scenic and accessible trails in the park. It hugs the rim of the Painted Desert and is perfect for catching dramatic sunrise or sunset views. It’s also one of the best hikes for families and casual walkers.
2. Puerco Pueblo Trail
- Distance: 0.3 miles (paved)
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Highlights: Ancient petroglyphs, archaeological site
- Why hike it? Step into the past on this short, paved loop that takes you through the ruins of a 100-room pueblo and past several petroglyph panels. Great for history lovers and families with strollers or wheelchairs.
3. Blue Mesa Trail
- Distance: 1-mile loop
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Highlights: Striped badlands, petrified wood along the trail
- Why hike it? This loop descends into stunning blue, purple, and gray badlands. It’s one of the most photogenic hikes in the park and a must for first-time visitors interested in both geology and beauty.
4. Blue Forest Trail
- Distance: 2.4 miles (out-and-back)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Panoramic views, solitude, petrified wood
- Why hike it? Less crowded than the Blue Mesa Trail, this unmaintained trail offers elevated views of the surrounding badlands and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a favorite for hikers seeking a bit more distance and adventure.
5. Crystal Forest Trail
- Distance: 0.9 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Dense petrified wood deposits
- Why hike it? If your goal is to see the most petrified wood in one place, this is the trail for you. The well-maintained path takes you past hundreds of colorful fossilized logs and is ideal for photography and families.
The Best Challenging Hike in Petrified Forest National Park
Most of the trails in Petrified Forest National Park are short, easy loops located just off the main road. But if you’re seeking a bit more solitude and adventure, I highly recommend the Devil’s Playground Trail. Tucked away in the remote Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area, this hike feels like stepping into another world. The surreal landscape is sculpted into colorful, striped towers and unusual rock formations, making it one of the park’s most striking areas.
Accessing Devil’s Playground requires a permit, and only three are issued each week starting on Wednesdays. These permits are available in person only at the Petrified Forest National Park Visitors Center. (One permit covers your entire group.) Be sure to pick one up before noon on the day of your hike.
We arrived on a Friday morning and were lucky—there was still one permit left. The permit itself is just a slip of paper to place on your windshield while parked at the trailhead. Along with it, you’ll receive a paper map and directions, which we found a bit confusing. Park staff mentioned that a 4×4 vehicle was necessary, but we made it without issue in a standard rental car. The last few miles of the road are dirt and heavily rutted, so if conditions are muddy, a 4×4 might indeed be needed. There’s no signage or designated parking area at the trailhead, so we just found a reasonable spot and hoped for the best.
There’s no marked or established trail at Devil’s Playground. We followed the Devil’s Playground Loop, which leads to the largest and most impressive formation, but navigation can be tricky as the trails are not marked. The terrain is open and expansive, and it’s easy to get turned around. We didn’t see another person the entire time. Keep in mind that all hikers must exit the park by 5 PM, so plan your time carefully.
If you’re able to secure a permit and feel confident in both your driving and navigation skills, this hike is absolutely worth the effort.
Where to Stay Near Petrified Forest: La Quinta Inn & Suites Holbrook
There aren’t a lot of hotels near Petrified Forest National Park. The closest town to the park is Holbrook, Arizona. I chose the La Quinta Inn & Suites Holbrook because it was the closest one to the entrance to the park, plus it was the newest hotel (and had the best reviews). This was also the most expensive option (we paid $150 per night). There are cheaper options nearby for about $50 a night, including the Quality Inn and Days Inn if you’re on a budget.
I was pleasantly surprised by the La Quinta Inn Holbrook—it’s just a generic chain hotel, but it was very new-looking, and was extremely clean. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were spacious and had a minifridge. There was a complimentary breakfast with prepackaged cereal, yogurt, fruit, and a waffle maker. The hotel had plenty of free parking, and it was right off the highway, which was convenient. The staff was also extremely friendly.
Tips for Visiting Petrified Forest National Park
- Petrified Forest is one of the few National Parks that is not open 24/7. It is only open from 8am to 5pm MST.
- Petrified Forest is also one of the few dog-friendly National Parks—you can take your dog (or horse) almost anywhere in the park. Leashed pets can go anywhere that humans can, except for inside buildings.
- It costs $25 per car to enter the park, and your pass will be good for seven days. If you’re visiting more than two national parks in a year, it makes sense to get the America the Beautiful pass for $45, which provides unlimited access to all parks for a year.
- Start your visit at the Painted Desert Visitor Center, at exit 311 off of I-40, where you can pick up maps, get information, and use the restroom.
- If you want to see the Devil’s Playground, make sure to plan your visit so you can be at the park on Wednesday morning when the park opens to have the best chance of snagging a permit.