Old Jasper Forest Road
Table of contents
The Old Jasper Forest Road is an off-the-beaten-path hike in Petrified Forest National Park. It shows off the petrified wood fossils this park is known for in addition to the interesting mesas and rugged desert landscapes that define this park. This hike is easy and good for all skill levels, but you’ll want to have a downloaded route available to you to help with navigation.
Route Description for Old Jasper Forest Road
Old Jasper Park Road is one of the more lightly traveled hikes in Petrified Forest National Park. It loosely follows an old park road built in the 1930s, although there isn’t much that remains of the road today. The hike shows you impressive fossils of petrified wood and ends at Eagle Nest Rock, the top part of which fell in 1941.
It’s very easy to get off-trail on this hike. The trail map provided by the visitor center for this route isn’t completely reliable or clear, so we definitely recommend downloading the GPS track for this hike before you go. Keep in mind that you cannot touch or take any of the petrified wood in this park, no matter how big or small. Theft of fossils is taken extremely seriously by park rangers and diminishes the hike for future visitors.
The trail begins at the Jasper Forest Overlook, which has a nice view over the surrounding desert. Hike down into the Jasper Forest, where hunks of petrified wood glitter with their crystallization. Inspect them closely; each one is unique. At the end of the trail, turn around and retrace your steps, referring to your GPS if needed at any point.
Getting to the Old Jasper Forest Road Trailhead
The trailhead for the Old Jasper Forest Road is off Petrified Forest Road.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
February-November
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
Yes
Route Signage:
Poor
Crowd Levels:
Low
Route Type:
Out and back
Old Jasper Forest Road Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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