Blue Forest Trail
The Historic Blue Forest Trail is 1.5 miles one-way, including 1.2 miles off the beaten path and .3 miles on the Blue Mesa Loop Trail.
Plan Around Blue Forest Trail
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Blue Forest Trail Details
The Historic Blue Forest Trail is 1.5 miles one-way, including 1.2 miles off the beaten path and .3 miles on the Blue Mesa Loop Trail. To make the trip one way, hikers must set up a ride before the hike or turn around and make the hike back. First constructed between 1934 and 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the trail connects the lower and upper Blue Mesa roads. Originally intended for general use, it was re-established in 2013 for adventurous hikers. The Blue Forest Trail winds through colorful blue and white badland hills, and passes petrified wood deposits as well. Hikers should park at the roadside pullout at the Tepees area, where the 1937 gravel road is still apparent, although not open to vehicles, and serves as the trailhead. The first 1/2 mile of the trail follows this old road grade and is relatively flat, but walking sticks are recommended as the trail is not always easy to follow, is steep in spots and follows a few knife ridges. Check [here](http://www.nps.gov/pefo/upload/Blue-Forest-Hike.pdf) for an extensive guide.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
1.5 miles
Estimated time
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Blue Forest Trail
Compare nearby parks around Blue Forest Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Blue Forest Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Blue Forest Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.3 mi away
Blue Mesa
Some of the park's most beautiful badlands, the Blue Mesa area is accessible via a 3.5-mile loop road off the main park highway.
0.3 mi away
The Tepees
These cone-shaped hills lie along the park's main road, in the southern unit of Petrified Forest.
1.2 mi away
Blue Mesa Trail
Beginning at the Blue Mesa sun shelter, this 1-mile loop trail descends from the mesa into the badlands.
1.4 mi away
Billings Gap Overlook Hike
This off-the-beaten-path hike is slightly less than 3 miles round-trip, and takes visitors to a viewpoint of the Billings Gap area and badlands east of Blue Mesa.
1.5 mi away
Red Basin/Clam Beds Hike
This 6-mile round-trip hike is part of newly acquired land within Petrified Forest National Park.
