Petrified Forest multicolored wood

Petrified Forest National Park Turns Fallen Trees Into Desert Rainbow Stone

Petrified Forest National Park is one of the most geologically and historically rich landscapes in the American Southwest. As you can probably guess, the park is known for its massive deposits of fossilized wood, badlands scenery, and many wide-open desert views. But beyond its natural history, the park features several man-made historic landmarks, like ancient petroglyphs and archaeological sites dating back thousands of years, along with hiking trails and other points of interest.

Whether walking through Triassic-era terrain or standing at a Painted Desert overlook, each stop here reveals another layer of the region’s story for you to explore up close. This guide highlights the park’s top landmarks and activities to help you make the most of your next visit.

An Ancient Forest Frozen in Time

A roadside view of Petrified Forest National Park's colorful badlands. Photo credit: Brendan Cane.
A roadside view of Petrified Forest National Park's colorful badlands. Brendan Cane

Petrified Forest National Park spans over 200,000 acres in northeastern Arizona, straddling the border between the Painted Desert and the grasslands of the Colorado Plateau beyond. Its terrain stands out with its multicolored badlands, iconic flat-topped mesas, and steep washes carved by occasional water flow, especially during flash floods.

As mentioned, its northern end lies within the highly picturesque Painted Desert, known for its stratified bands of red, gray, pink, and sometimes even lavender sediment, formed by millions of years of volcanic ash, siltstone, and clay deposition. Toward the south, the park transitions into areas dense with its famous fossilized wood, some of which date back more than 200 million years. These ancient tree trunks, slowly turned to quartz over time, are found in large concentrations across the park’s more southern sections.

View of the Painted Desert section of Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook Arizona
View of the Painted Desert section of Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook Arizona

Furthermore, the Chinle Formation, a Late Triassic geological layer, underlies much of the area and preserves a record of ancient river systems, floodplains, and swathes of forestland that once stood here millions of years ago. Erosion, wind, and seasonal monsoons continue to expose new fossils, making the landscape both scientifically significant and a cool spot for those who love geography.

The Establishment and History of this Remote National Park

Petrified Forest National Park
A landscape in the park. Stock.Adobe.com

President Theodore Roosevelt designated Petrified Forest a national monument in 1906 to protect its extensive deposits of newly discovered petrified wood. Interest in the area had grown during the late 19th century, as increasing numbers of fossil hunters and tourists began removing large quantities of the ancient logs. Federal protection helped curb this destruction and preserved it as the vital historic/natural site it is today.

Petrified Forest Sign
Petrified Forest Sign

In 1962, the monument was elevated to national park status, expanding its boundaries and broadening its conservation mandate to include archaeological sites and more of the region's pristine badlands scenery. The space protects over 800 archaeological sites, including natural finds and human creations, like remnants of ancestral Puebloan villages and petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
Petroglyphs at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

In 2004, Congress authorized a boundary expansion of over 125,000 acres aimed at preserving additional fossil beds and cultural resources. On the geological/biological side, ongoing paleontological research continues to uncover new ancient species and preserved pieces of organic material, making this park an exciting space for history buffs and science fans.

Blue Mesa Trail

Blue mesas, Petrified Forest National Park
The park's blue mesas. Shutterstock.com

The Blue Mesa Trail is one of the park’s most visually striking pathways, known for its colorful badlands, all clearly visible along the way. This one-mile loop descends into a surreal landscape shaped by erosion and time, offering close-up views of some of the park's most prominent petrified logs.

The paved Blue Mesa Scenic Drive makes it highly accessible to all, while interpretive signs along the Blue Mesa Trail provide deeper insight into the park’s paleontology and ancient ecosystems.

Painted Desert Overlooks

Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park
A part of the Painted Desert. The Old Major / Shutterstock.com

Located in the park's northern section, the Painted Desert Overlooks provide more sweeping views of the region that gave it its name. These overlooks, including Tiponi, Tawa, Kachina, Chinde, and Pintado Points, are easily accessible by car.

The shifting light throughout the day dramatically alters the landscape’s appearance, making sunrise and sunset especially rewarding times to visit. Several short trails branch off from the overlooks, allowing you to experience the terrain up close while learning about the geology and ecology that define this arid, fragile environment.

Painted Desert Inn

Painted Desert Inn
The inn. Kit Leong / Shutterstock.com

The Painted Desert Inn is the most famous historic landmark in the park, located along its northern rim. Initially built in the 1920s and renovated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the structure features distinctive Pueblo Revival architecture with thick adobe walls, hand-carved wooden beams, and colorful murals by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie.

Once serving as a hotel for Route 66 travelers, it now operates as a museum and visitor center. Exhibits inside explore the inn’s history, the park’s cultural heritage, and tourism development in the greater Southwest. Outside, large windows and shaded porches provide panoramic views of the Painted Desert below, making it an excellent example of man-made beauty ideally suited to fit into the environment around it.

Be Sure to Experience this Desert Gem

Petrified wood at the badlands of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona state of the United States of America, North America
Petrified wood at the badlands of the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona state of the United States of America, North America

Petrified Forest National Park offers more than its ancient trees; it’s a fantastic place to get a clear window into human history and the evolving desert landscape in the heart of the Southwest. From scenic drives and hiking trails to historic inns and fossil sites, each experience here will be memorable for any traveler coming by. So, the next time you drive through Arizona's remote countryside, be sure to add this destination to your to-do list.

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