When visiting Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, Crystal Forest is one of the recommended places to see. It is a super short and relatively flat trail that gives you the opportunity to check out all the gorgeous giant pieces of petrified woods in the park. Since it is an easy hike, Crystal Forest is a great trail for all skill levels, especially kids and older hikers to enjoy the glassy, rainbow color petrified woods.
Note: It is illegal to remove petrified woods or any other materials from the park. Please do not collect or take home pieces of the wood from the National Park. Please make sure to respect this beautiful place and the surrounding areas. Always practice LEAVE NO TRACE. This means no loud music, no graffiti, no carving your name anywhere, and pack out what you pack in! Please help us protect this place for generations to come!
Stats
Where
Crystal Forest Trailhead
34°51’49.5″N 109°47’31.2″W
Parking
Decent size, paved lot
Restroom
There is no restroom
Fee
There is a fee to enter the Petrified Forest National Park. Please check the park’s website for updated infos. You can also use your America the Beautiful Pass here.
Important Things
Petrified Forest National Park opens year round, except November 25 and December 25. Park hours are 8am to 5pm. The gate actually closes at 5pm.
Distance
0.75 mile (1.2 km) loop
Elevation Gain
36ft
Level
Easy
Time:
30 mins – 1 hour
Pet-friendly
You can bring your pet, but they have to be on leashed.
Ideal Time
Falls, Winters or Springs. Summer can get very warm. Petrified woods are also more colorful on a sunny day.
Weather
Video
Why Is This Place Called Crystal Forest?
If you have a chance to see this place in person, the name Crystal Forest makes sense. As the trees petrified, they developed beautiful and colorful crystals, hence the name. Unfortunately, because of these beautiful crystals, in the late 1800s, those seeking semi-precious gems blasted the massive, ancient petrified trees into small chunks. This was one of the reasons that the Petrified Forest National Monument was established.
The Adventure
Getting to Crystal Forest Trail
Crystal Forest at Petrified Forest National Park is located along the Petrified Forest Rd, about 5.8 miles from the Rainbow Forest Museum and Visitor Center. There is a decent size, paved parking right at the trailhead.
Exploring Crystal Forest
Crystal Forest is a lollipop loop trail. From the parking lot, you’ll walk for a short distance before the trail turns into a loop. Since it is a loop, you can go either direction first. The right side of the trail is full of colorful mesmerizing petrified wood chunks and logs. On the other hand, the left side gives you a glimpse of the badlands and the iconic blue and purple color of Blue Mesa. There is a slight uphill halfway through.
We were lucky enough to visit Crystal Forest twice, once during a typical day and once right after a big snowfall. The feel of this place is completely different each time. We have to say, the snow really makes this barren landscape more dramatic. There is something about the rainbow-colored woods against the white snow. It was a surreal and humbling experience to be among these ancient logs that are over 200 million years old.
How Crystal Forest Came to Be
It was also interesting to learn that Crystal Forest used to be an actual forest, much like the rainforest of Costa Rica, millions of years ago during the Triassic Period. As Pangea broke apart, the North American continent drifted northward. Also, the Colorado Plateau uplift slowly, raising this area about a mile above sea level. This is why the park is so arid now.
Because Crystal Forest used to be a rainforest, it makes sense that there are tons of petrified woods here. Petrified wood forms when fallen trees are buried under mud, ashes from volcanoes, or other materials. While sealed under all these things, the wood is deprived of oxygen, therefore, preventing it from decaying. After millions of years, mineral silica, along with other minerals replace most of the organic wood. This turns the tree into the stone-like material we called petrified wood. The colors in these petrified woods represent the trace minerals in quartz. Iron and manganese are responsible for much of the coloration, while carbon adds black, and rarely, chromium gives it a true green.
If you’re looking for a great hike, this is not it. However, it is worth stopping by so you can check out these otherworldly crystalized woods. Whether you’re into geology or not, Crystal Forest is still a great, short stop at Petrified Forest National Park. Check out Long Logs and Agate House trail if you want a longer hike.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
Good hiking shoes are recommended on these adventures. Vy uses the Merrell Women’s Moab 2 hiking boots
Dustin’s shoes are Targhee III Waterproof
Make sure to use lots of sunscreens! We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30.
Face sunscreen is also important. We love these tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
You should always bring plenty of water. Vy loves the Camelback L.U.X.E.
For shorter hikes, the Patagonia Women’s Nine Trails Pack 18L is perfect to hold water and your essentials.
If you want something lighter, we love the packable Patagonia Women’s Houdini® Jacket and Patagonia Men’s Houdini® Jacket
other things to bring
- A hat, since the trail is very exposed
- Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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