Hiking the Jasper Forest Trail in Petrified Forest National Park
Distance: 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
The Jasper Forest Trail, also referred to as the 'First Forest Trail,' is arguably the best day hike to see and experience the largest variety of petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park!
With that in mind, in my separate article about the Crystal Forest Trail, I emphasize how the Crystal Forest is such a great day hike to see one of the largest collections of petrified wood found anywhere in the park.
However, the collection of petrified wood in the Crystal Forest pales in comparison to the collection within the Jasper Forest, but the difference is, the Jasper Forest Trail is not nearly as accessible.
I say this because the Jasper Forest Trail follows in the tracks of an old 1930s road called the Jasper Forest Road, from the overlook that exists today down the mesa to the Jasper Forest below.
Furthermore the Jasper Forest Trail, like the Billings Gap Overlook Trail, is not a maintained trail by the National Park Service, meaning that the area has succumbed to the lack of maintenance and erosion from decades of neglect.
In any case, the Old Jasper Forest Road can still be explored today, but it is by no means one of the easier hikes within the park. Therefore, I advise only those with good hiking skills and navigational awareness to attempt the full Jasper Forest Trail.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Jasper Forest Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Jasper Forest Trailhead is located in the same parking lot as the Jasper Forest Overlook, about 18.6 miles (29.9 km) south of the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
In my experience, most visitors who come to the lookout know little, if anything, about the historic road that is now a trail, meaning that you will most likely be the only group on the trail, regardless of how many cars are in the parking lot.
Google Maps Directions: Jasper Forest Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Petrified Forest
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Petrified Forest National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Jasper Forest Trail
From the Jasper Forest Overlook, the Jasper Forest Trail begins at the far east end of the parking lot at this unmarked trailhead.
Initially, the Jasper Forest Trail will descend the cliffs of the mesa down to the Jasper Forest below.
This is where the Jasper Forest Trail drops below the mesa, with the lookout on the left-hand side of this photo.
Jasper Forest
Once at the bottom, the Jasper Forest Trail winds its way to the north on a very vague and sometimes non-existent trail toward Eagle Nest Rock, about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) away.
The small signs of infrastructure, like the footsteps below, are a nice indication that you’re following the Old Jasper Road.
In addition, these footsteps really helped to cross this typically dry and muddy wash after a recent storm the day prior.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
Again, areas just like the one in the photo below still show signs of the old Jasper Forest Road, but I have to imagine that evidence like this will only be harder and harder to come by as the years go on.
When there’s only about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) left before Eagle Nest Rock, the Jasper Forest Trail begins to turn to the east, which is where the cliffs of the surrounding mesas will begin to close in.
To see this area on the map, click the link below to find Eagle Nest Rock.
Google Maps Directions: Eagle Nest Rock
On account of the soft-soil landscape being very muddy after it has rained, areas like this tend to be tricky to cross, which is exactly why there aren’t footprints in the dry wash.
In fact, I was likely the first hiker on the trail after a heavy thunderstorm swept through the park the day before.
Eagle Nest Rock
This is the final loop at the very end of the Jasper Forest Trail, and it simply circles around the base of the former, and once iconic, Eagle Nest Rock.
By this, I mean that Eagle Nest Rock was a popular destination in the early 20th century for travelers on Route 66, as it was featured in brochures, postcards, and auto tours.
However, Eagle Nest Rock fell in January of 1941 after the area experienced a period of heavy rain, leaving behind the butte that we see today, shown in the center of the photo below.
This is the completion of the loop around Eagle Nest Rock.
Overall, the Jasper Forest Trail is an incredibly beautiful and scenic day hike to experience an area of Petrified Forest that few visitors venture out to see.
In fact, I personally believe that the Jasper Forest is the most beautiful collection of petrified wood within the park, but as previously mentioned, the trail should only be attempted by those with good navigational skills, as there will only be vague signs along the hike that you’re actually on the correct trail.
I say this knowing full well that the photos you see throughout this article include some of the more distinct areas of the Jasper Forest Trail, but there are many areas that show no signs of a trail, especially after it has recently rained.
More Petrified Forest Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Petrified Forest National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
In Petrified Forest National Park, most safety concerns are related to the hot summer heat/ dehydration, steep, unstable trails, and falls from cliff edges, as many can be unstable in this soft-soil landscape.
Additionally, there are a number of snake species native to Petrified Forest, but only two are considered to be venomous.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Petrified Forest National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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