Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which acts as your personal tour guide, audio guide and map all in one. Your adventure begins at the visitor centre in the Painted Desert, near the northern entrance of the Petrified Forest National Park. From there, you'll proceed to Toponi Point, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the multicoloured badlands of the Painted Desert.
Next, you'll visit the Painted Desert Inn, a recognised National Historic Landmark. Learn about its fascinating history, from its origins as a popular tourist destination in the 1920s to its current role as a park museum. The inn's distinctive Pueblo Revival-style architecture, delightful murals and mesmerising views make it a must-see.
After that, you'll travel to Puerco Pueblo, home to a 100-room pueblo that was inhabited over six centuries ago. Here, you'll also encounter a solar calendar — a rock slab adorned with petroglyphs signifying the summer solstice.
Next is Newspaper Rock, which is home to over 650 petroglyphs left behind by the Pueblo people hundreds of years ago. Contemplate the stories these symbols might tell, offering a glimpse into the lives and culture of the ancient inhabitants.
Then, explore the awe-inspiring Jasper Forest and Crystal Forest trails, which offer intimate views of petrified wood scattered across the terrain.
Finally, you’ll arrive at the Rainbow Forest Museum, which is located by the southern entrance of Petrified Forest National Park. Your tour will conclude here.
