30-120 Minutes
Walk Blue Mesa Trail
Petrified Forest National Park
This 1-mile alternately paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among banded badland hills of bentonite clay as well as petrified wood.
Steeply descending from the mesa top, this 1-mile alternately paved and gravel trail loop offers the unique experience of hiking among blue, purple, peach, and gray banded badland hills of bentonite clay as well as petrified wood. Numerous plant and animal fossils have been found by paleontologists in the sedimentary layers of Blue Mesa.
Tags
Front-Country HikingGeologytrailwalkhikepaleontologygeologyscenic
Visitor Photos
No visitor photos yet
Details
Duration
30-120 Minutes
Duration Details
The trail is a mile, most of it is relatively easy, with one short steep section. Depends on the individual's speed walking and if you read the wayside exhibits or not.
Fees Apply
No
Seasons
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility
Most of this trail is not accessible for mobility devices. Steep grade near beginning of trail. The surface is hard, paved or graveled. Exhibits have proper contrast for visibility challenges.
Pets
Yes — BARK Ranger: ·Bag your pet’s poop. ·Always keep your pet on a leash. ·Respect wildlife. ·Know where you can go.
Reservations
No
Age Info
Depends on the individual.
Location
Blue Mesa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park