🥾 ActiveWeekend · from Phoenix, AZ

Ancient Forests & Petrified Wonders

Wander through towering pines and walk across ancient landscapes where stone trees tell stories millions of years old.

Day 1 — Coconino National ForestDay 2 — Petrified Forest National Park

Day 1 — Coconino National Forest

🚗 3 hr 46 min driving📍 5 stops

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Morning

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Drive

Phoenix, AZ → Coconino National Forest

2 hr 11 min8:00 AM → 10:11 AM

Coconino National Forest

★ 4.8

Escape the desert heat with cool pine forests, pristine lakes, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails just two hours north of Phoenix.

10:11 AM📍 See location

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Lunch

🍽️ Lunch11:11 AM

NiMarco's Pizza Munds Park

★ 4.6Restaurant📍 Maps →

2 options · tap to switch

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Afternoon

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Drive

Coconino National Forest → Slide Rock State Park

56 min12:11 PM → 1:07 PM

Slide Rock State Park

★ 4.7

Wade and slide down natural water chutes carved into Oak Creek's red rocks, plunge into crystalline pools, and scramble across sun-warmed stone formations while surrounded by cottonwood-lined canyon walls.

1:07 PM📍 See location

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Evening

🚗

Drive

Slide Rock State Park → Pinewood Bar & Grill

39 min5:00 PM → 5:39 PM

🍽️ Dinner5:39 PM

Pinewood Bar & Grill

Savor elevated comfort food and craft cocktails in a cozy mountain lodge atmosphere that perfectly captures the charm of northern Arizona's cooler climate.

★ 4American Restaurant📍 Maps →

4 options · tap to switch

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Sky Ranch Lodge

Rated 4.5★ (1732 reviews) — a well-rated base for your night near Coconino National Forest.

Day 2 — Petrified Forest National Park

🚗 3 hr 12 min driving📍 4 stops

🌅

Morning

🚗

Drive

Coconino National Forest → Petrified Forest National Park

2 hr 33 min8:00 AM → 10:33 AM

Petrified Forest National Park

★ 4.8

Witness 225 million years of geological history while hiking through otherworldly landscapes painted in vibrant blues, purples, and reds.

10:33 AM📍 See location

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Afternoon

🚗

Drive

Petrified Forest National Park → Blue Mesa Trailhead

10 min12:00 PM → 12:10 PM

Blue Mesa Trailhead

★ 4.9

Hike a scenic 1-mile loop through badlands of painted blue, purple, and orange clay hills, exploring eroded hillsides and distant mesa views while descending into colorful Petrified Forest gullies.

12:10 PM📍 See location

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Evening

🚗

Drive

Blue Mesa Trailhead → Petrified Forest Trading Company

29 min5:00 PM → 5:29 PM

Petrified Forest Trading Company

★ 4.1

Discover authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, and crafts while supporting local artisans in this charming historic trading post.

5:29 PM📍 See location

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Consider staying overnight

The drive home from Petrified Forest National Park is 3h 44m — consider staying overnight and driving back in the morning.

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