Date: Mar. 18, 2022
Arizona’s other national park, after Grand Canyon and Saguaro, is this surprisingly enjoyable gem.
Painted Desert Rim Trail
Distance: 1 mile RT
Right off north entrance, this trail is aptly named and connects with the historical Painted Desert Inn.
Puerco Pueblo
Distance: 0.3 mile loop
An 800 year old indigenous settlement.
Blue Forest Trail
Distance: 3 miles RT
The premier trail highlights blue, grey, purple and green mudstone sediment layers.
Crystal Forest
Distance: 0.75
240 million years ago, this area was a lush rain forest similar to present day Costa Rica. The dead wood, instead of decaying, ossified and was propelled to the surface by geological events. They looked like wood, but felt like rock.
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