One-mile loop among blue-gray bentonite badlands and petrified-wood logs in the heart of Petrified Forest National Park. The trail drops from a mesa-top sun shelter into banded Chinle Formation hills—one of the park's signature geology walks, separate from the Rainbow Forest museum area.
Field facts
| Region | Apache County, AZ |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34.9394, -109.7562 |
| Length | 1 mile (1.6 km) loop |
| Geology | Chinle Formation bentonite badlands + petrified wood |
| Access | Blue Mesa Scenic Road spur off the main park road (~mm 15) |
| Agency | National Park Service — Petrified Forest NP |
Nearby locations
Nearby amenities
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
Map preview
Explore the area
The interactive map and its tiles load only when requested.