Jasper Forest Hike
The Jasper Forest Hike offers an easy 2.5-mile round trip hike along a 1930's road into Jasper Forest, a well-preserved garden of petrified wood.
Plan Around Jasper Forest Hike
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Jasper Forest Hike Details
A brochure is available at the visitor's center detailing this hike. The Jasper Forest Hike offers an easy 2.5-mile round trip hike along a 1930's road into Jasper Forest, a well-preserved garden of petrified wood. The area was originally called First Forest because it was the first collection of petrified wood travelers encountered saw when they arrived via wagon from the Adamana train station 100 years ago. Although the road is mostly eroded away now, you can still follow it in most places if you look carefully for the old gravel. Hikers should park in the Jasper Forest overlook parking lot and walk towards the main road until the slope is less steep and it's safe to walk to the area below the overlook. Hikers should not walk on the Jasper Forest loop road because drivers may not be able to see them. The 1930s road bed meets the current, paved road here, resembling a path of small, round river rocks or brown cobbles. Jasper Forest holds one of the park's largest deposits of petrified wood. Originally encased in the sandstone bluffs above the road, thousands of years of erosion sent the logs tumbling down into the valley. Although the walk is not difficult or steep, it does require sturdy shoes as footing can be difficult.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2.5 miles
Estimated time
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Jasper Forest Hike
Compare nearby parks around Jasper Forest Hike when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Jasper Forest Hike
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Jasper Forest Hike while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Jasper Forest
In the southern portion of the park, about 10 miles north of the south entrance station and along the park's main road, is Jasper Forest.
0.5 mi away
First Forest Point Hike
This 2.1-mile round-trip hike takes visitors from the Jasper Forest overlook parking lot south along the bluffs.
0.8 mi away
Agate Bridge
Spanning a gully like a bridge, Agate Bridge is in fact a large petrified log.
1.0 mi away
Dry Wash
Dry Wash connects to the Puerco River west of the ghost town of Adamana and runs south towards Agate Bridge and Jasper Forest.
1.9 mi away
Crystal Forest Trail
This .75-mile loop trail begins in the Crystal Forest parking area.
