Best Overlooks
Petrified Forest National Park's overlooks provide access to the colorful Chinle Formation and vast expanses of the Painted Desert. These viewpoints showcase distinct geological features, including the striped badlands of Blue Mesa, the concentrated petrified logs of Jasper Forest, and the 650 petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock. Visitors can observe the park's transition from the high-altitude northern desert to the southern fossil-rich plains, with many sites featuring historic architecture and paved accessibility.
A Tiponi Point
Overlook providing views of the red and orange hues of the Painted Desert's Chinle Formation.
Blue Mesa Viewpoint
High-elevation view of badland hills characterized by thick layers of bluish bentonite clay and petrified wood.
Crystal Forest Viewpoint
Overlook of a fossilized landscape where petrified logs once contained high concentrations of quartz and amethyst crystals.
Lacey Point View
Expansive vista of the Painted Desert named after Congressman John Lacey, a key proponent of the Antiquities Act.
The Tepees Viewpoint
View of conical erosion formations displaying vibrant horizontal stripes of blue, purple, and gray mudstone.
Jasper Forest Viewpoint
Panoramic overlook of a valley floor scattered with thousands of petrified log segments.
Agate Bridge Viewpoint
View of a 110-foot-long petrified log that spans a sandstone gully, reinforced with a concrete support in 1917.
Newspaper Rock Viewpoint
Overlook featuring more than 650 petroglyphs etched onto desert varnish by ancestral Puebloan people.
Kachina Point
Overlook located near the historic Painted Desert Inn, offering views of the desert wilderness and the Black Mountains.
Chinde Point
Overlook and picnic area providing views of the northern badlands and distant mesas.
Nizhoni Point
Elevated viewpoint showcasing the multi-colored layers of the Chinle Formation in the Painted Desert.
Pintado Point
One of the highest overlooks in the park, providing views of the Painted Desert and the distant San Francisco Peaks.
Tawa Point
Viewpoint marking the trailhead for the Tawa Trail, overlooking the colorful erosion of the Painted Desert's rim.
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