Arizona · National Park trail

Crystal Forest Trail

in Arizona

Length: 0.75 mile (1.2 km) loopTrailhead: Crystal Forest parking areaNamed for the presence of beautiful crystals that can be found in the petrified logs, this trail offers one of the best opportunities to experience the petrified wood deposits. Please leave the petrified wood for others to enjoy. Report any removal of petrified wood or other materials to park staff.

Depending on the individual, parts of the trail are available to mobility devices. Tread width: 71 in (179.8 cm), min 65 in (165.1 cm)Grade: 5.2%, max 22.5%Cross Slope: 2.2%, max 11.3%

States: Arizona
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ · 108 mi · ~3.1 hr drive
Centroid coords: 34.8639°, -109.7919°

About Petrified Forest National Park

National Park

This trail is inside Petrified Forest National Park, a national park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/crystal-forest-trail.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Crystal Forest Trail and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.