Petrified Forest National Park — Attraction in Four Corners States

I'm glad this park has mostly 5 star reviews, because I worry about it sometimes.

It's one of the more subtle of the national parks, at least the petrified forest part. Yosemite's cliffs cascade around you, and draw your eyes up. The namesakes of Arches National Park tower around you like the earth's flying butresses. The Grand Canyon unfolds in front of you in a glorious vista.

Not the Petrified Forest.

At first glance, the petrified forest is a whole lot of nothing. Just the flat scrublands that make up most of that corner of the state. But then you look down at your feet, and there's a jewel-toned tree stump. You almost missed it, and it's the most fabulous thing you've ever beheld. When you go to this park you need to be patient and observant, but the pay off is there and this park can be as memorable as any of its more famous cousins.

When my husband and I do this park, we like to do a more obscure backcountry trail, the Red Basin Clam Beds Hike. This 8.5-ish mile loop really shows off the best of the park, the petrified wood, the painted desert, and fossilized clam beds. However, this hike is also not for everyone. While not exactly physically demanding, what makes it hard is that, well there's not a trail. You talk to the rangers and if they deem you worthy, they hand you a print out and you hike from landmark to landmark. I would not do this hike alone, and if no one in your group is good at reading maps and cartography, please skip this hike. You could actually get lost in the desert and die.

For those who are ready to tackle it though, it really pays off in Crayola-purple cliffs, huge petrified logs, and thousands of fossilized clams. Truly a marvel.

The closest town to the Petrified Forest is a Holbrook, a little town near and dear to my heart. If you stay there, get some fry bread or sopapillas from the El Rancho. If you're more in the mood for steak and BBQ, Butterfields Steakhouse is, and I mean this unironically, quite good.

If Holbrook seems just a little too rundown for you: Check your privilege You're only about 1.5 hours from Flagstaff, a much more developed university town

You're about 3.5 hours out from Phoenix, so you could make this a day trip, but you will be talking about 7+ hours of driving on top of whatever site seeing you do. Same story with Abq.

North Eastern Arizona is cooler than the Phoenix area, but the summers are still hot. I wouldn't plan on doing any serious hiking in this park...

A Rock Nerd’s Dream in the Middle of Nowhere

We visited Petrified Forest National Park in April 2021, and honestly? It was way more awesome than I expected. This park is super underrated, especially if you're into geology, fossils, or just really weird and colorful landscapes. It’s one of the lesser-visited national parks, which is probably part of why it felt so special - it was quiet, open, and full of fascinating stuff if you know what you’re looking at (or at least kind of know what you’re looking at, which is me most of the time).

The petrified wood is obviously the star of the show - huge logs that are basically tree fossils turned into sparkly quartz and agate over millions of years. You’re literally walking through the remains of a 225-million-year-old forest that got buried, mineralized, and frozen in time. Some of the logs look like they could still burn in a fireplace, and others are rainbow-colored and crystal-filled. It’s nuts.We ended up hiking an off-the-beaten-path trail in the wilderness area - it was dog friendly (which is super rare for a national park), and we didn’t see another person the entire time. Not much elevation gain to speak of, but the views were amazing. You get these wide, sweeping vistas of the Painted Desert and badland formations - layers of reds, purples, and grays stacked like a giant sedimentary cake. It looked like something out of another planet.I won’t lie, this hike wouldn’t be ideal for everyone. It’s not marked, it’s easy to get turned around if you’re not paying attention, and there’s no shade or water. Some of the "markers" are shrubs. A lot of the hike is kind of like scree, and I felt safer scooting down on my behind. But if you’re comfortable with navigation and you love rocks, it’s one of the coolest hikes I’ve ever done. The feeling of complete silence and being surrounded by these ancient, surreal formations was unforgettable. If you’re into geology, fossil history, or just want to get away from crowds and be somewhere weird and beautiful, I can’t recommend this place enough. Go in spring when it’s not crazy hot, bring your dog if you’ve got one, and prepare to nerd out hard. Petrified Forest is quiet, weird, and completely epic. 10/10, would hike through...

Petrified Forest National Park: A Timeless Treasure of the American Southwest

Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is a stunning destination that captivates visitors with its unique landscapes, ancient history, and geological wonders. This remarkable park offers a diverse range of experiences across its many areas, each providing a distinct glimpse into the natural beauty and rich heritage of the region.

One of the park's most famous attractions is the Rainbow Forest, located in the southern section. Here, visitors can wander among some of the largest and most colorful petrified logs, whose brilliant reds, oranges, and purples sparkle under the desert sun. Trails like the Giant Logs and Long Logs lead through these ancient wonders, while the Rainbow Forest Museum provides fascinating exhibits on the park's geology and prehistoric life.

In the central section, the Blue Mesa area offers a completely different experience. The Blue Mesa Trail winds through striking badlands, with its dramatic, blue-hued clay hills and captivating layers of sedimentary rock. The scenic drive through Blue Mesa offers breathtaking panoramic views and numerous pullouts for photography, making it a must-visit for landscape enthusiasts.

To the north, the Painted Desert presents a stunning expanse of colorful, rolling hills that change hues with the shifting light of the day. The Painted Desert Rim Trail offers easy hiking with spectacular overlooks, while the Desert Inn, a historic landmark, provides a unique opportunity to learn about the region's cultural heritage.

For those interested in archaeology, the Puerco Pueblo site, located near the center of the park, showcases ancient petroglyphs and the ruins of a 600-year-old pueblo, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Native American tribes who once inhabited the area.

With its diverse landscapes, captivating history, and variety of trails and scenic drives, Petrified Forest National Park is a must-see destination that promises a memorable adventure for all who visit. Whether exploring its colorful badlands, discovering ancient fossils, or simply soaking in the incredible vistas, this park is a true treasure of the...