When it comes to spectacles in Arizona, one of the most discrete, but equally astounding, is that of Petrified Forest National Park (PFNP)! Located just under 2 hours east of Flagstaff along US 40, PFNP can be experienced in many modular ways, with a majority of visitors utilizing their time as a driving park, making short stops along the main vein through the park. While venerable, experiencing the park from the road is limiting of the entirety the park has to offer. Unless you are at a loss for time and limited to the road, time for an “Off the Beaten Path” hike!
Off the Beaten Path
A series of trails mark those considered off the beaten path, reining from 2.5 miles round trip to 8, and more open ended trips that are more time considerate; such as Devil’s Playground. These trips can show the depth of our landscape out here, whether you take a short stroll to Martha’s Butte to get an up close glimpse of magnificent petroglyphs, or take a walk through the Jasper Forest or Devil’s Playground to be surrounded by fields of petrified wood with the brilliance of gems stones for miles all around. To get a better feel of whats best for you, be sure to do some research on the specifics of the hikes here. As well as go in and talk with a Ranger to check conditions; don’t forget to bring a hat, plenty of water, and pack out everything you bring in!
