Petrified Forest National Park is one of those places that surprises you in the best way. It’s easy to think it’s just about petrified wood, but the park is full of color, history, viewpoints, and short trails that make it perfect for a half‑day or full‑day stop along Route 66. We visited while driving through Arizona, and it quickly became one of our favorite national parks because everything is so accessible and varied. From ancient petroglyphs to sweeping badland views, every stop feels different. Here are my top 10 favorite stops inside Petrified Forest National Park.
Petrified Forest National Park – Route 66 Arizona
1. Rainbow Forest Museum / Visitor Center
We started at the Rainbow Forest Museum on the south end of the park. It’s the best place to get oriented, pick up maps, and learn about how the petrified wood formed. The exhibits are small but interesting, and the staff is great at helping you plan your route. This is where I got my National Parks Passport Book. It has been so much fun filling it up with all the places we go. I highly recommend this if you enjoy visiting the different parks and monuments in the United States.
2. Giant Logs Trail
Right behind the museum is the Giant Logs Trail, a short loop with some of the largest and most colorful petrified logs in the entire park. “Old Faithful,” the massive log near the end of the trail, is worth the stop on its own. This was our favorite part of the park, and we spent most of our time here. There are a lot of great photo opportunities and history here.
3. Crystal Forest Trail
This easy paved loop winds through an area filled with sparkling petrified wood. The pieces here are especially colorful, and the trail gives you a close look at how the logs fractured over time. We honestly didn’t do much of this one, just walking the first bit and then going back, but what we saw was beautiful. If you have time, I would plan on doing the whole trail.
4. Jasper Forest Overlook
One of the best viewpoints in the park. The overlook gives you a wide view of a valley filled with petrified wood scattered across the landscape. It’s a quick stop but one of the most memorable. It’s a short walk to the viewpoint, and it is very beautiful.
5. Agate Bridge
This natural stone log spans a small gully, supported by a concrete beam added in the early 1900s. It’s a unique piece of park history and a fun, quick stop. I loved seeing the bridge. It’s a short walk from the parking area and really cool to see. You can not go out onto the bridge, but you can walk to each side from the view area.
6. Blue Mesa Trail and The Tepees
Blue Mesa is one of the most beautiful areas in the park, with striped blue‑gray badlands that look like another planet. Even walking just the first part of the trail gives you incredible views. We walked the trail until it started decending down into the valley. It was beautiful and we loved the trail along the cliff.
As you continue driving, you’ll pass The Tepees—cone‑shaped hills with striking layers of color. They make a great photo stop from the roadside pullout.
7. Newspaper Rock and the Pueblo Area
Newspaper Rock features hundreds of ancient petroglyphs visible from the overlook through mounted binoculars. This is a fun stop and only a short walk from the parking area. Keep in mind that you can only view this from a distance. They do have viewing scopes to look through, but you can also zoom in with your phone or camera for some good shots to study later.
Right nearby are restrooms and the remains of a small Puebloan structure. After this stop, we drove the six‑mile Petrified Forest Road North loop, which offers more views of the Painted Desert.
8. Route 66 Car Pullout
This is a fun, nostalgic stop where a rusted 1932 Studebaker marks the original Route 66 alignment. It’s a great photo spot and a reminder of how many travelers passed through this area long before it became a national park.
9. Nizhoni Point and Pintado Point Overlooks
Both overlooks offer sweeping views of the Painted Desert. The colors here are especially vibrant in the late afternoon, with layers of red, pink, and lavender stretching across the horizon. At each stop, there area signs that descibe the features in the area. It was fun to learn more about them and what the signifigance of each spot respresents.
10. Painted Desert Inn, Kachina Point, and the Painted Desert Visitor Center
We ended our visit at the historic Painted Desert Inn, which has been beautifully restored and offers a look at early tourism along Route 66. Just outside is Kachina Point, one of the best viewpoints in the park. The Painted Desert Visitor Center nearby is a good final stop for restrooms, souvenirs, and information before heading back onto the highway.
In the bottom of the visitor center, there is a gift shop and that is where we got a large package of petrified wood pieces to take home for around $10. They also have some other really cool souvieners here. Overall this was a great day and we had so much fun exploring the Petrified Forest National Park!
Petrified Forest National Park – Route 66 Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park is one of those places that’s easy to drive through but even better when you take the time to stop at the viewpoints and short trails. Each area shows a different side of the park, and together they make for a memorable Route 66 experience. Depending on wither you are going east or west will depend on how you do the park.
We started with the Rainbow Forsest Museum because we were coming from Holbrook, AZ and heading towards Albuquerque, NM. Be sure to map it out to see what works best. You can do this list from top to botttom or bottom to top. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments.
More posts I think you will like:
Wigwam Motel – Route 66 (Holbrook, AZ)
Standin’ on the Corner – Route 66 (Winslow, AZ)
Lava Flow Trail in Sunset Crater National Park – Arizona
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