Geology
Apache County, AZ
Approximate location — plotted from published sources, not a site visit, and not a guarantee of access.
One-mile loop among blue-gray bentonite badlands and petrified-wood logs in the heart of Petrified Forest National Park. The trail drops from a mesa-top sun shelter into banded Chinle Formation hills—one of the park's signature geology walks, separate from the Rainbow Forest museum area.
| Region | Apache County, AZ |
|---|---|
| Coordinates (approx.) | 34.9394, -109.7562 |
| Length | 1 mile (1.6 km) loop |
| Geology | Chinle Formation bentonite badlands + petrified wood |
| Access | Blue Mesa Scenic Road spur off the main park road (~mm 15) |
| Agency | National Park Service — Petrified Forest NP |
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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Plan ahead. Leave no trace. Verify current access before traveling.