Biking

Bicycles are allowed along the park road, but not along the trails except for a short access trail at Long Logs/Agate House trails. The routes are old highways or roads that are not maintained except for the eastern section of Route 66 that is graveled.

Two people on a yellow and red tandem bike ride past blue striped badlands.

Pedal the Petrified Tandem Bike

Old 180 East 0.5 access trail to Long Logs and Agate House trails Petroglyph Canyon Route 66 East

There are several routes in the park that you can ride a bike. There are also bike racks scattered at overlooks and parking lots throughout the park. 36 CFR §4.30 – BICYCLES (a) Bicycle/e-bike use is permitted on paved park roads and parking areas open to the public. The following routes are closed to bicycle/e-bike use: Paved trails and all park lands not covered by pavement, with the exception of: the unpaved portion of Old Route 66 from the main park road to the east boundary fence the eastern portion of Old Highway 180 in the Rainbow Forest area from its intersection with the main park road to the east boundary the portion of the Long logs trail from its intersection with the main park road, continuing to the trailhead loop area approximately ½ mile up the trail. the trail beginning at the Rainbow Forest Picnic Area, and continuing to the base of the mesa, ending at a loop in the road (approximately 1 mile in length). (b) The term “e-bike” means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.). E-bikes are allowed in Petrified Forest National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited. Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited. A person operating an e-bike is subject to the following sections of 36 CFR part 4 that apply to the use of traditional bicycles: sections 4.12, 4.13, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, and 4.30(h)(2)-(5). Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within Petrified Forest National Park is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.

Bicycle—including ebikes—use is permitted on paved park roads and parking areas open to the public as well as some areas listed in the main text. Be careful along park roads—everyone is looking at the view!

Go Bicycling

Scenic Views

Trails

Roads, Routes and Highways

Museum Exhibits

Visit the paleontology laboratory at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Complex where you can ask questions and watch them work on fossils from the park.

People gathered in front of a window looking in at the lab, blue door to one side.

Visitors at the Paleo Lab

The Paleo Lab is located in the historic school building at the Painted Desert Community Complex, near the Painted Desert Visitor Center.

Visit the paleontology laboratory at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Complex Wednesday through Sunday, 9am to 3pm. Follow the sandwich board signs across the plaza. The lab is behind a window with a mic so that you can ask questions and watch them work. You might see some fossil animal you have never heard about before!

Peek into the Paleo Lab

Fossils and Paleontology

Bookstore and Park Store

Collect your cancellation stamp from one the visitor centers. The cancellation ink usually reflects the color section of the passport—e.g. Petrified Forest has green ink for the green section. There are multiple dated stamps as well as a couple of image stamps.

We've seen all ages work on their stamp collection.

Woman inside stamping in booklet on counter, displays in background.

Stamping Passport

Collect your cancellation stamp! Collecting cancellation stamps has been popular for many visitors for decades, one of the first things they ask for when they enter the visitor centers. The cancellation ink usually reflects the color section of the passport—e.g. Petrified Forest has green ink for the green section. There are multiple dated stamps as well as a couple of image stamps. People use the passports, journals, postcards, brochures, maps, and other creative places.

Only service animals allowed inside the buildings.

Collect Your Cancellation Stamps

Transportation

Front-Country Hiking

Round trip, Long Logs Trail is a relatively easy walk of 1.6 miles along a paved path. There are many long petrified logs and a lot of petrified wood pieces near scenic gray and purple badlands.

Depends of the individual's interest and ability.

Late light on gray and purple badlands behind petrified logs under a lavender sky

Walk Long Logs Trail

Park at Rainbow Forest, walk across the bridge, continue up the 1/2 mile access trail, stay twards the left for the 1/2 mile Long Logs Loop.

Long Logs is one of the largest concentrations of colorful petrified wood in the park, including some of the longest logs. Explore this ancient log jam at the base of purple and gray badlands along a paved half-mile loop (access trail is 0.5-mile one way—you can add this with Agate House Trail). Please leave petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff.

BARK Ranger: ·Bag your pet’s poop. ·Always keep your pet on a leash. ·Respect wildlife. ·Know where you can go.

Explore this ancient log jam at the base of purple and gray badlands along a paved half-mile loop.

You can start the 1.2-mile one way walk from either the Painted Desert Community Complex or Tawa Point. There is a bench along the way to sit and enjoy the view. It is a relatively easy, hard-surfaced, path through the grassland.

Man walking a trail under a sunset sky with clouds

Tawa Trail

The south trailhead for Tawa trail is located near the entrance station at the Painted Desert Community Complex.

Enjoy the tranquility of the grassland as the paved trail leads you to scenic Tawa Point. The 1.2-mile one way Tawa Trail is a perfect place to stretch your legs after a long road trip. You will have views of the shortgrass prairie (particularly nice during wildflower season) and the red part of the Painted Desert. In Hopi ideology, Tawa refers to the Sun Spirit, the creator of the World. The Hopi are one of several modern Native American groups who are connected to the rich, varied history of Petrified Forest.

Enjoy the tranquility of the grassland as the paved trail leads you to scenic Tawa Point. The 1.2-mile one way Tawa Trail is a perfect place to stretch your legs after a long road trip.

Walk the Tawa Trail

Horseback Riding

Bring your own mount and bring them into the park for riding in the backcountry. You will need water, weed free feed, clean up, and enjoy! Horses aren't allowed along the paved trails and roads, except for the wilderness access trail. You can also bring llamas, burros, whatever! 

More than three horses and riders going down a trail into the red part of the Painted Desert, red ba

Horse Around

Horse around! Bring your own horse and take a ride into the backcountry. While horses aren’t allowed on most of the trails, they can be ridden into the backcountry including the wilderness area. Be sure to clean up, use weed free feed, and bring all your water. A great place to start is the large parking lot at Kachina Point where you can find the access trail into the north unit of the wilderness area.

Animals are allowed in the park as long as they are under control with leash, tether, or reins. Clean up their droppings. Use weed free feed. Respect wildlife and don't share food or approach. Know where you can go.

Bring your own horse and take a ride into the backcountry.

Enjoy Horseback Riding

Walk a 1-mile round trip dirt trail with drop offs and spectacular views of the red part of the Painted Desert.

You can stop and read wayside exhibits, walk out to view points, walk one way or round trip.

Woman stopped next to a wayside exhibit looking towards red badlands in the background

Walking the Rim Trail

The trail goes between Kachina and Tawa Points, up to 2 miles from the north entrance. Parking available at either point.

This unpaved trail winds 1-mile round trip through the rim woodland, a place for chance encounters of many species of plants and animals and spectacular views of the Painted Desert. In spring, cliffroses and other native wildflowers grow along the pathway. Birds find food and shelter in this area making it a good spot for birdwatching. Below, the view features red badlands and crenulated white tuff.

This unpaved trail winds 1-mile round trip through the rim woodland, a place for chance encounters of many species of plants and animals and spectacular views of the Painted Desert.

Walk the Painted Desert Rim Trail

Geology

Easy paved loop through an archeological site with wayside exhibits.

Depending on the individual's interests and abilities.

Archeological site with remnants of masonry walls in late afternoon light.

Puerco Pueblo

The Puerco Pueblo Trail starts at the parking lot near mile marker 11.

The 3/4 -mile paved Puerco Pueblo Trail features the remnants of a hundred room masonry pueblo, occupied by the ancestral Puebloan people over 600 years ago. Petroglyphs can be viewed along the south end of the trail, including one that interacts with the rising sun on the summer solstice. Please do not climb on the boulders or walls and do not touch the petroglyphs. There is a mini museum halfway along the trail with cultural, archeological, and historical exhibits inside a CCC-built structure.

The 3/4 -mile paved Puerco Pueblo Trail features the remnants of a hundred room masonry pueblo.

Walk Puerco Pueblo Trail

Archeology

Ruins

Native American Heritage

The trailhead is right by the large parking lot, the first section of trail going to a sunshelter where the loop of paved/graveled pathway begins through petrified wood.

All ages, depending on the individual's abilities.

Depends on the individual's abilities and if looking at the wayside exhibits.

Late sunlight touches long petrified logs along a trail amidst badlands.

Crystal Forest

About 20 miles from the north entrance, 8 miles from the south entrance, there is a large parking lot for the trailhead of Crystal Forest.

Named for the presence of beautiful crystals that can be found in the petrified logs, this trail offers one of the best opportunities to experience the petrified wood deposits as it loops through rolling gray and purple badlands. Please leave the petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff.

Walk Crystal Forest Trail for one of the best opportunities to experience the petrified wood deposits as it loops through rolling gray and purple badlands.

Walk Crystal Forest Trail

This is a 1-mile paved/graveled trail with a steep section. There are wayside exhibits along the pathway. There is a bench at the trailhead under the sunshelter.

The trail is a mile, most of it is relatively easy, with one short steep section. Depends on the individual's speed walking and if you read the wayside exhibits or not.

Two hikers walk amidst gray, blue, and purple badlands along a trail

A Couple Walking Blue Mesa Trail

The Blue Mesa trailhead is located halfway around the Blue Mesa Road loop, next to a sun shelter.

Steeply descending from the mesa top, this 1-mile alternately paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among blue, purple, peach, and gray banded badland hills of bentonite clay as well as petrified wood. Numerous plant and animal fossils have been found by paleontologists in the sedimentary layers of Blue Mesa.

This 1-mile alternately paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among banded badland hills of bentonite clay as well as petrified wood.

Walk Blue Mesa Trail

Fossils found in the park from the Late Triassic are featured in many displays in the Rainbow Forest Museum.

All ages can enjoy! Smaller children will need help from an adult to understand.

Depends on your interest. The exhibits are visually interesting and there is a hierarchy of text for more information.

People looking at fossil exhibits in museum lighting, including articulated skeletons.

Rainbow Forest Museum Exhibits

The museum is located at the south end of the park around mile marker 26.

Explore the paleontology exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum. The exhibits will help understand the world of the Late Triassic, how petrified wood formed, and see fossils some of the animals and plants that once lived here.

Only service animals are allowed in the museum.

Explore the paleontology exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum.

The museum is open during regular park hours.

Explore at the Paleo Exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum

Become a Bark Ranger Bag your pet’s poop. Always keep your pet on a leash. Respect wildlife. Know where you can go. As long as you both follow the BARK Ranger rules, you can take your leashed dog, cat, or other pet everywhere you can go in the park, except for the visitor centers and giftshops (service animals are welcome). How fun to share the trail or hiking in the backcountry with your companion critter! Get your BARK ranger certificate at the visitor centers for free.

Man walking three dogs in badlands with blue sky.

Things to Do: Become a BARK Ranger

Bag your pet’s poop. Always keep your pet on a leash. Respect wildlife. Know where you can go. As long as you both follow the BARK Ranger rules, you can take your leashed dog, cat, or other pet everywhere you can go in the park, except for the visitor centers and giftshops (service animals are welcome). How fun to share the trail or hiking in the backcountry with your companion critter! Get your BARK ranger certificate at the visitor centers for free.

As long as you both follow the BARK Ranger rules, you can take your leashed dog, cat, or other pet almost everywhere you can go in the park.

Become a BARK Ranger!

Animals

Geocaching

There are multiple caches in the park including traditional and virtual. Some are Earthcaches and others are part of the Historic Route 66 Geocaching Project. Check your Geocache app for locations; be sure to stop at both visitor centers as the first ones are close by.

Depends if you are finding one or all as they are throughout the entire park, driving time is at least 45 minutes.

Two women looking at their devices in front of an exhibit outdoors

There are multiple spots in the park. Please see the Geocaching app for detailed locations.

Go geocaching. Join the treasure hunt! There are multiple caches in the park including traditional and virtual. Some are Earthcaches—you find a location and learn about geology—others are part of the Historic Route 66 Geocaching Project. Check your Geocache app for locations; be sure to stop at both visitor centers as the first ones are close by.

Only service animals are allowed inside the buildings.

Go geocaching. There are multiple caches in the park including traditional and virtual.

Go Geocaching

Wildlife Watching

Bring your binoculars and telephoto lenses to view the wildlife of Petrified Forest National Park. There are many animals that live in the park, although a lot are nocturnal, but do give them room and respect. Watch from afar, don't approach, never feed (that includes ravens), and remember that they are wild. You can see deer in the grassland and mesas, pronghorn in the open prairie, elk near the river corridor, eagles between mile marker 8 and Puerco Pueblo, birds around the facilities and water sources, lizards along trails and anywhere they can sun themselves. Birds are best in spring and fall.

Depending on your interest, you can look for animals when you stop at an overlook or you can spend hours looking for birds in the cottonwoods.

Small herd of tan and white pronghorn, hooved native animal, on grassland with late afternoon light.

American Pronghorn

Watching wildlife is a seasonal activity, but just in that the species to watch change, particularly in birdwatching. We are located along a fairly active branch of the north-south migratory pathways, so visitors in spring and fall get a treat. We can see many different types of songbirds, raptors, even waterfowl. You can also watch for pronghorn, coyotes, and ravens year-round. Please remember not to feed, harass, or get too close as these are wild critters!

Just remember that a pet may hinder your ability to see wildlife. Be sure they are leashed.

Wildlife changes throughout the year, birds best in spring and fall.

Watching wildlife is a seasonal activity, but just in that the species to watch change, particularly in birdwatching.

At this time, there is no overnight camping in the park, so we are limited to park operating hours.

Watch Wildlife

Birds

Cats (wild)

Natural Sounds

Get the self-guiding booklet from the museum/visitor center. Walk the butterfly-shaped trail behind the museum. Numbers on posts go with the booklet description.

Depends so much on the individual, but most people need at least 30 minutes and most finish within an hour.

Many people walking along a trail under cloudy skies, surrounded by chunks of petrified wood.

Visitors on Giant Logs Trail

The trailhead for Giant Logs Trail is behind the Rainbow Forest Museum at the south end of Petrified Forest National Park, mile marker 26.

Take a self-guided tour of Giant Logs, one of the highest concentration of large, colorful petrified logs. The trail is shaped like a butterfly, the “head” is Old Faithful, the most massive log in the park. The trail has a hard surface, partially paved and graveled. There are posts with numbers that go along with the self-guiding tour booklet available at the Rainbow Forest Museum. The trail is 0.4 miles round trip, about 30 minutes long, rated easy.

Take a self-guided tour of Giant Logs, one of the highest concentration of large, colorful petrified logs.

Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant Logs

Park Hours: 8am to 5pm, MST. Don't forget that Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. Would you like to see the park film? It is located at the park's YouTube Channel as well as the park's giftshops.