Hiking the Puerco Pueblo Trail in Petrified Forest National Park
Distance: 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
The Puerco Pueblo Trail is the go-to place in Petrified Forest National Park to learn about and see up close what life used to be like for the ancestral Puebloan people many centuries ago.
The short 0.3-mile (0.5 km) trail not only features the pueblo itself, but a museum and petroglyphs that can be seen scattered along the far end of the Puerco Pueblo Loop.
All said, I encourage you to read more about the trail below, so that you know exactly where to look, as many of the petroglyphs can be hard to spot!
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!
Puerco Pueblo Trailhead Parking
The Puerco Pueblo Trailhead is located just off Petrified Forest Road, about 10.8 miles (17.4 km) south of the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
That being said, the Puerco Pueblo Trail is one of the more popular day hikes in Petrified Forest because the trail is so short. However, since the lot is so big, finding a place to park is usually never an issue.
Google Maps Directions: Puerco Pueblo 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 Puerco Pueblo Trail
The Puerco Pueblo Trail follows an entirely paved trail to encourage visitors to stay on the paths, in order to protect this historically significant archaeological site.
Puerco Pueblo Loop Trail
Shortly after beginning the hike, the Puerco Pueblo Trail splits into a short loop around all of the best sites to see.
Personally, I chose to go right, but if you’re most interested in the pueblo itself, go left to take the shortest path there.
Puerco Pueblo Museum
This small museum at Puerco Pueblo is one of the best places to learn about life in the park prior to the National Park Service, and it’s the only place on the trail to find some shade away from the sun.
After the Puerco Pueblo exhibits, there are at least two distinct viewpoints to see the petroglyphs, but it must be said that these photos were taken with a 300mm lens, meaning that the petroglyphs will look much farther away when you see them in person.
Then, go right to the next viewpoint where you’ll have the opportunity to see some more petroglyphs, as shown below.
These petroglyphs at the next viewpoint were a little more obscure and harder to notice than the first, but look along the large boulders of the cliffs to the right of the viewpoint.
Puerco Pueblo
After the petroglyphs, the Puerco Pueblo Trail passes by Puerco Pueblo on the left-hand side of the loop.
According to the National Park Service, the Puerco Pueblo Village that can be seen here is only a fraction of the archaeological site, but I have to imagine that more sites aren’t accessible to the public for their own protection.
Puerco Pueblo Loop Junction
Finally, the Puerco Pueblo Loop Trail returns to the beginning, with the trailhead and parking area located just beyond.
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!
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
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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