[FULL GUIDE] 50 Things to Do at Petrified Forest National Park for History and Nature Lovers

Key Takeaways:

• Petrified Forest National Park offers a rare combination of ancient fossils, unique landscapes, and cultural history.
• Visitors can explore the park’s diverse attractions, including fossilized forests, colorful badlands, and ancient petroglyphs.
• Whether you’re a history buff, geology enthusiast, or outdoor adventurer, Petrified Forest has something for everyone.

Located in northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a true testament to the ancient forces of nature. Known for its vast collection of fossilized trees, the park is home to one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world. The park’s geological formations, including the Painted Desert, reveal layers of history, from ancient Triassic forests to prehistoric rock art. Visitors can explore the park through scenic drives, hiking trails, and interactive exhibits that bring its ancient past to life. Whether you’re fascinated by fossils, history, or just looking to explore stunning desert landscapes, Petrified Forest National Park offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

50 Things to Do at Petrified Forest National Park:

#1 Visit the Rainbow Forest Museum:
Learn about the park’s prehistoric past, including fossilized trees and the region’s geology.

#2 Hike the Giant Logs Trail:
Take a short, easy hike to see some of the largest and most colorful petrified logs in the park.

#3 Explore the Painted Desert:
Marvel at the vibrant, multi-colored badlands of the Painted Desert, one of the park’s most iconic features.

#4 Take a Scenic Drive on the Petrified Forest Road:
Enjoy a 28-mile scenic drive that offers breathtaking views and access to several park highlights.

#5 Hike the Blue Mesa Trail:
Trek through the unique blue-hued badlands of Blue Mesa, home to fossilized remains from ancient forests.

#6 See the Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs:
Explore the ancient petroglyphs carved by indigenous peoples thousands of years ago at Newspaper Rock.

#7 Visit the Jasper Forest:
Walk through Jasper Forest, known for its large petrified logs scattered across a scenic desert landscape.

#8 Explore the Crystal Forest:
Wander through the Crystal Forest, named for its clear and colorful petrified wood scattered throughout.

#9 Go on a Fossil Hunt at the Agate House:
Discover the stunning ancient stone structures at Agate House and explore the surrounding fossil-rich areas.

#10 Take the Long Logs Trail:
This easy trail takes you through an area filled with massive petrified logs, some over 100 feet long.

#11 Learn at the Petrified Forest National Park Visitor Center:
Stop by the visitor center to get maps, brochures, and learn about the park’s rich history and fossil collection.

#12 Go Stargazing in the Dark Skies:
Take advantage of the park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park and enjoy stunning night skies.

#13 Visit the Puerco Pueblo:
Explore the ruins of Puerco Pueblo, a prehistoric Native American village with petroglyphs and dwelling sites.

#14 Hike the Tawa Point Trail:
A short trail that leads to Tawa Point, offering great views of the park’s desert landscapes.

#15 Explore the Petrified Wood at the Crystal Forest:
Discover some of the most vivid and well-preserved petrified logs along the park’s Crystal Forest Trail.

#16 See the Agate Bridge:
Marvel at the natural arch formed by petrified wood at the Agate Bridge, a unique geological feature.

#17 Go on a Ranger-Led Tour:
Join a ranger for a guided tour that provides deeper insight into the park’s natural history and cultural significance.

#18 Visit the Old Route 66:
Stop by the historic remains of Route 66, which runs through the park and played a role in its tourism.

#19 Take the Painted Desert Rim Drive:
This drive offers spectacular views of the Painted Desert, with stops for hiking and photography along the way.

#20 Explore the Fossil Exhibits at the Rainbow Forest Museum:
Get up close to fossils and exhibits that showcase the park’s prehistoric past, including dinosaurs and ancient plants.

#21 Go Birdwatching in the Painted Desert:
The park offers a variety of bird species, making it a prime spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

#22 Visit the Tepees:
Explore the ancient tepee-shaped rock formations found within the Painted Desert area of the park.

#23 Hike the South Rim Trail:
This trail provides scenic views of the park’s unique geological formations and the expansive desert landscapes.

#24 Explore the Blue Mesa Rock Formation:
Walk through the unique, colorful rock formations of Blue Mesa, which contain fossils dating back millions of years.

#25 Take the Desert View Trail:
This trail offers spectacular panoramic views of the desert landscape, with opportunities to spot wildlife and photograph the scenery.

#26 Walk the Short Rim Trail:
A short but rewarding trail with scenic overlooks of the Painted Desert and the park’s other geological features.

#27 Explore the Petrified Forest Loop:
Take a loop trail to explore the park’s fossilized trees and scenic desert landscapes in a single hike.

#28 Join the Wild West Festival:
Experience the Wild West Festival, where you can enjoy music, food, and exhibits celebrating the park’s history.

#29 Take a Photograph at the Route 66 Historic Bridge:
Capture a photo of the historic bridge that once served as part of the famous Route 66.

#30 Visit the Park’s Historic Trading Post:
Stop by the historic trading post for local crafts, souvenirs, and Native American art.

#31 Explore the Lacey Point Trail:
Hike to Lacey Point for beautiful views of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest areas.

#32 Visit the Cliff Ruins:
Explore the cliff ruins near Puerco Pueblo and learn about the region’s ancient inhabitants.

#33 Hike the Piñon Pine Trail:
This short hike takes you through a desert environment filled with piñon pines and interesting geological formations.

#34 Go on a Photo Safari:
Capture stunning photographs of the park’s colorful landscape, fossilized trees, and wildlife on a self-guided photo safari.

#35 See the Skeleton Log:
This unique petrified log resembles a skeleton, providing one of the park’s most intriguing natural wonders.

#36 Explore the Desert View Tower:
Climb the Desert View Tower for sweeping views of the desert landscape and surrounding areas.

#37 Attend the Annual Petrified Forest Festival:
Celebrate the park’s history, geology, and culture at the annual festival with food, exhibits, and entertainment.

#38 Hike the East Rim Trail:
Enjoy stunning views of the park’s geological features, including fossilized trees, desert plants, and wildlife.

#39 Take a Guided Fossil Walk:
Join a park ranger for a fossil walk to learn about the fossils that make Petrified Forest National Park famous.

#40 Explore the Petrified Wood Collection at the Visitor Center:
See some of the finest examples of petrified wood in the park’s extensive fossil collection.

#41 Walk the Petroglyph Trail:
This short trail leads to an area of the park where you can see ancient petroglyphs carved by early Native American cultures.

#42 Go for a Scenic Drive through the Petrified Forest:
Take a leisurely drive through the park’s scenic routes, offering views of fossilized trees, wildlife, and more.

#43 Visit the Painted Desert Inn:
Explore the historic Painted Desert Inn, which offers exhibits on the park’s history and natural beauty.

#44 Hike the Desert View Trail:
A short trail that provides incredible views of the desert landscape and the surrounding park areas.

#45 Go on a Fossil Photography Expedition:
Capture the fossilized beauty of the park’s petrified wood, fossils, and colorful rock formations.

#46 Explore the Badlands of the Painted Desert:
Hike through the badlands of the Painted Desert, known for its striking, colorful geological formations.

#47 Take the Painted Desert Rim Trail:
Walk the rim trail for amazing panoramic views of the Painted Desert and surrounding areas.

#48 See the “Fossil Forest” Area:
Discover the Fossil Forest, where you can see clusters of fossilized trees embedded in the landscape.

#49 Visit the Chindehu Village Ruins:
Explore the ancient ruins of Chindehu Village, a historic site used by Native Americans for centuries.

#50 Take the Blue Mesa Trail:
Hike the Blue Mesa Trail for stunning views of colorful hills and a chance to explore fossil-rich areas.

For a customized and unforgettable adventure at Petrified Forest National Park, plan your weekend using PlanMyWeekend.ai!

Author: Dejon Brooks

Dejon Brooks is an entrepreneur who founded Trend Watchers with his life savings. Aged 24, Dejon has turned Trend Watchers into a successful business. After reaching over 150M+ people on his personal accounts, he now spends his time growing Planmyweekend.ai