On our last visit to Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park we took the easy, paved Blue Mesa Trail. Legitimately one of the park’s signature hikes, it features soft rounded mounds with multi-colored layers as well as plenty of petrified wood. Blue Mesa is an easier and more accessible alternative to its predecessor, the Blue Forest Trail. This time we took the older trail, considered “off the beaten path”.
Blue Forest is mostly unimproved, with a few cairns and some gravel to mark the way. Mostly you follow the footprints. The hike starts on the main park road, at a pull-out for “the Teepees”. The trailhead isn’t specifically marked, but an old gravel road goes off across the plain next to a sign that says to be back to your car by sundown. That’s a good idea.
I recommend getting the AllTrails phone app to help with navigation. If you don’t have the app, ask about the trail at the park’s visitor center and they’ll provide a brochure with color photos showing where to go. Their directions don’t exactly match the ones on AllTrails, and skip a walk through a wash between the mounds on the way back. We used the visitor center brochure.
The deceptively easy beginning changes after about a quarter mile. Footing is inconsistent and there are some very narrow portions. It can be treacherous after a rain. We fortunately had a dry day.
This hike is not for people who fear heights, or are anxious about getting lost. A pole (or two) is helpful.
After about a mile and a half, turn and return to your car. It is also possible to come out at the Blue Mesa area and do this as point-to-point. but that means either a long road walk or a second vehicle.
We had a lovely day, a little bit windy. Try to time the “concentration needed” parts so that they’re not during the gusts. A really fun trail if this is your sort of thing.
Daring Dayhikes 