Scenic Viewing
One of the best and easiest ways to take in the scenery at Petrified Forest is by taking the point-to-point main road through the park.
Plan Around Scenic Viewing
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.
Scenic Viewing Details
One of the best, and easiest, ways to take in the scenery at Petrified Forest is by driving the point-to-point main road, Petrified Forest Road, through the park. Starting at either the north or south entrance, it's 28 miles one way, and offers multiple turnouts for pictures. Near the Painted Desert Visitor Center are several overlooks, each offering a spectacular view of the Painted Desert. Pintado Point offers one of the only 360-degree views of the park. Further south on the road, take the 3.5-mile Blue Mesa Loop for views of geological formations within the rock, and finally, stop at Jasper Forest, which features a panoramic view of an area with lots of the park's namesake petrified wood.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Activities
Nearby Parks Around Scenic Viewing
Compare nearby parks around Scenic Viewing when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Scenic Viewing
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Scenic Viewing while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Jessie Benton Fremont
An early advocate of the Park, without her work behind the scenes, Yosemite might not exist today.
0.0 mi away
ZERO LANDFILL IN THE PARKS:
THE YOSEMITE, GRAND TETON AND DENALI PROGRAM
0.0 mi away
30-Minute Helicopter Ride
Fly rim-to-rim in a half-hour.
0.0 mi away
50-Minute Airplane Tour
The ultimate Canyon airplane tour.
0.0 mi away
50-Minute Helicopter Tour
Offering aerial tours of the North and South Rims as well as the Grand Canyon's East Rim.
