3 places you've probably never heard of in the Petrified Forest National Park

3 places you probably never heard of in the Petrified Forest National Park

So I've been to the Petrified Forest National Park before. I've done the loop road and we even backpacked it and I absolutely loved it. But there's more if you dig a little deeper. Yes, all the well known overlooks and hikes are worth it, but if you like being a little more off grid, you can find that type of solitude here if you look hard enough.

The Historic Blue Forest Trail

Turn off from Blue Mesa Trail (approximate) 34.938645, -109.761091

This hike is a branch off of the Blue Mesa Trail. Start at the Blue Mesa trailhead and turn off at . The Historic Blue Forest Trail takes you off the main trail and up onto the ridgelines of the painted desert. And it's amazing. It's a through hike that requires you to spot a car, or, you can do what I did and just hike out as far as you want and turn around. Tina and I tried this before and it was so windy it was dangerous, so we turned around. But this trip, it was perfect conditions, and the Historic Blue Forest Trail did not disappoint. This is my favorite trail in the park.

The Painted Desert Ranger Cabin

And if you are tired of the standard hotel, try the Painted Desert Ranger Cabin. It's $40 a night and it has more amenities than you would expect for something so rugged; basically the Painted Desert Ranger Cabin has all the amenities of home, but with much better views. I believe the website says you need a 4WD, but if the road is dry, I feel like just about any vehicle will get you there. If you're looking for something rustic and remote, you definitely want to check out the Painted Desert Ranger Cabin. Tell Ranger Ross we sent you. Reserve it here;

https://www.hipcamp.com/arizona/paint...

The Devil's Playground

Finally, there is the Devil's Playground Trail. Honestly, I wouldn't have known about this if it weren't for the Painted Desert Ranger Cabin Website. But Devil's Playground was amazing. It was a mix of the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and Valley of Dreams; just amazing hoodoos and other rock and erosion formations, mixed in with petrified logs. Permits for the Devil's Playground are available at the back country desk at the Petrified Forest National Park welcome center and they are extremely limited. I highly recommend you research it online and call ahead to find out when they are available. There are only 3 permits per week and it's first come first served.

So if you are looking for a unique way to experience the Petrified Forest National Park, check out these areas. You will not be disappointed.

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