Crystal Forest
Area Petrified wood concentration in Petrified Forest National Park
A trail area inside Petrified Forest National Park, Crystal Forest showcases glossy, multicolored petrified wood. Hikers and photographers follow short loops through fossilized logs and badland panoramas.
Crystal Forest is a concentration of petrified wood deposits within Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona, at the coordinates provided. The area comprises numerous large, silicified logs and fragments distributed across badlands and short walking trails.
The petrified wood here formed when trees were buried by sediment during the Late Triassic and subsequently replaced by silica, producing quartz-rich, colorful fossil wood. The site is served by a short designated loop trail that provides public access to view many of the larger logs and interpretive information.
Crystal Forest is managed as part of the national park and is one of several well-known concentrations of petrified wood in the park, which also contains painted desert badlands and other fossil localities.
- Age of material: Contains large concentrations of silicified logs and fragments dating to the Late Triassic, commonly cited as roughly 200-225 million years old.
- Visitor access: The trail through the deposit is a short, accessible loop that allows close viewing of numerous well-preserved petrified logs and colorful mineralization.
What to See #
- Crystal Forest Trail: A short, marked loop trail within Petrified Forest National Park that passes extensive concentrations of petrified wood and interpretive signs.
How to Get to Crystal Forest #
Crystal Forest is located inside Petrified Forest National Park, accessible via I-40 near Holbrook, Arizona. Follow park signs to the Crystal Forest trailhead; a short, marked trail leads through the area.
Tips for Visiting Crystal Forest #
- Crystal Forest is inside Petrified Forest National Park; pay the park entrance fee and follow posted trail rules to protect petrified wood.
- Visit at mid-morning or late afternoon for the best light on the polished logs and to avoid the heat of midday.
- Do not attempt to remove petrified wood-removal is illegal and still prosecuted. Look for the engraved signs that explain park rules.
Best Time to Visit Crystal Forest #
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for visiting Crystal Forest and the park in general.
Weather & Climate near Crystal Forest #
Crystal Forest's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 33°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 8 mm.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 33°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 43 mm of rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
