Two established trails wind through vast deposits of some of the most beautiful petrified wood found anywhere, with some pieces measuring nearly five feet wide! Please wear sturdy walking shoes and sunscreen, and carry plenty of drinking water.
Petrified Forest Trail: This one-mile loop is a moderate to strenuous hike, which climbs 200 feet to the top of the mesa behind the visitor center.
Trail of Sleeping Rainbows: This .75-mile extension off the one-mile Petrified Forest Trail has the highest concentrations of petrified wood, but it is very strenuous. Use extreme caution.
Baily's Wash: For the more adventurous, explore this lesser-known area, which has even more petrified wood. See park ranger for more information and directions.
Please do not remove any petrified wood from the park – some say the wood is haunted and removing a piece brings the taker nothing but bad luck.