Explore the park’s southern section for close encounters with petrified logs. Araucarioxylon arizonicum, or petrified trees, were formed from these ancient trees, which have evolved from wood to rock, taking on colors caused by iron, carbon, and manganese. In the Crystal Forest, Giant Logs, and Long Logs trails you will come across petrified wood deposits, enormous logs, and even an ancient log jam. If you’d like to see what creatures roamed the land in prehistoric times, the Rainbow Forest Museum has paleontological displays.

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Trails

Here are a few tips when you traverse the National Forest:

• When hiking in developed areas, stay on designated trails. Hiking off-trail damages grasslands disrupt wildlife habitat, and/or comes with unsightly “social” trails.
• On developed trails, pets are allowed. They must be leashed at all times. Do not leave pet waste behind.
• Aside from the half-mile access trail that leads to the junction between the Long Logs and Agate House Trails, bikes (including e-bikes) are not allowed on trails.

While most trails are paved and barrier-free, some exceed ADA requirements in terms of grade. Certain trails can be accessed by people with disabilities. Here are the top three trails in the Petrified Forest National Park

Crystal Forest

The Crystal Log Trail is one of the best places to see petrified wood deposits in the area. This trail is named after the crystals that were found inside the petrified logs. Please do not disturb the petrified wood and report any removal of petrified wood to the park staff.

Giant Logs

A number of colorful and large logs can be found in Giant Logs. Towards the top of the trail, Old Faithful is almost ten feet wide!

Long Logs

A large concentration of petrified wood can be found at Long Logs. Discover this ancient log jam at the base of gray badlands. Petrified wood should be left for others to enjoy. Park staff should be notified if any petrified wood or other materials are removed.

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Architectural Sights

The park’s focus on nature might surprise some when they discover its architectural treasures. There is still a 100-room pueblo compound occupied more than 600 years ago by Ancestral Puebloans, as well as nearby petroglyphs at Puerco Pueblo. An archaeological site in the park is the Agate House, an eight-room pueblo built of petrified wood and inhabited between 1050 and 1300.

The Painted Desert Inn dates back to the 1920s and has been modified over the years by National Park Service architect Lyle Bennett, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Fred Harvey Company’s lead architect Mary Colter, who hired Hopi artist Fred Kabotie to paint the inn’s murals. The National Historic Landmark offers Petrified Forest history exhibits and, in the summer, an ice cream counter. The Painted Desert Visitor Center complex was designed by Richard Alexander and Richard Neutra, one of the foremost proponents of International Style. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has assigned it a National Treasure. A midcentury modern style is embodied by the simple glass and steel materials, low profile, and clean lines of the complex.

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