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    Blue Mesa Trail

    4.9 (8 reviews)

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    Marcus F.

    One of big highlights of the Petrified Forest National Park is this one mile Blue Mesa loop trail. From the moment you descent into Blue Mesa you'll believe you're walking around some strange lunar landscape. Walking along the paved trail you'll get up close views of the chinle rock formations that make this national park world famous..You'll also see many examples of petrified logs laying around this area. Even though it's only a mile in length, you'll still get sensory overload. Highly recommended. - This trail is family-friendly but perhaps people with mobility issues might have a tough time walking down into the canyon and back out. - Stay on the walking path and do not pick up any of the petrified wood pieces. - It can get windy and cold along this trail during the winter. Tip - If you have a fourth grader, the whole family can get into this park, and all national parks for free. You have to fill out an online form first at https://everykidinapark.gov/

    Irina V.

    I have been wanting to visit Petrified Forest National Park for so long. Have you ever seen petrified wood before? Can you believe that a tree has been transformed into a stone? We actually have a few pieces we bought on our travels years ago. Here you can see fossilized logs, not just small pieces. Blue Mesa in 0.9 mile loop in Petrified Forest National Park which you don't want to miss. Here you can see plenty of petrified wood in a landscape that is similar to Badlands National Park. You can't really experience a place without walking on at least one trail. Pullouts are great but hiking is even better. Especially when it is so short and so incredibly stunning. You'll feel like you arrived to another planet with the hills covered in bluish bentonite clay.

    Petrified Forest National Park Road
    Anton K.

    Blue Mesa Trail is a 1.2 mile loop trail in the Petrified Forest National Park. It is a semi-arid environment with no shade. The elevation is 5,500 feet with a 120 foot decline into the Blue Mesa Basin. This is an other-worldly landscape from some distant exoplanet. Bands of bluish Bentonite clay (volcanic ash composed of aluminum and silicon) are layered with shades of pink, brown, red and orange from minerals like manganese, carbon, iron potassium, sodium, calcium and aluminium. The materials in this landscape are 221 million years old and a product of volcanism and marine sediments. Petrified wood out crops dot the landscape. The park hours are from 8 am-5 pm generally with extended hours by permit. There are signs along the trail which explain the processes that have formed this landscape and continue to do so. If you have a 4th-grade student go to "everykidinapark.gov" for free admission. From the trail head which is close to the Tepees area pull-out parking area the trail begins paved along a ridge but later becomes a gravel path. The sharp descent then flattens out in the basin. It is possible to take a wrong turn if you are not vigilant. I highly recommend that you walk at least part of the path. For another perspective, there is an overlook about a mile uo the road.

    Royce K.

    For all the time I live in Arizona I've never been to the Petrified Forest there's not much there just a bunch of rocks in a gram but still really nice drive mountains are nice scenery and it's almost like a mini Grand Canyon one part if you're in the area definitely nice detour but nothing to go out your way

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    Photo of Kevin S.
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    1 month ago

    Well worth the very easy, leisure .8 mile walk. Beautiful views of petrified wood. Just a beautiful journey back into time.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Blue Mesa Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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