Discover the beauty of two of America’s most unique national parks, Mesa Verde and Petrified Forest. Both of these parks offer breathtaking views and opportunities to explore ancient cultures and natural wonders. Whether you prefer to hike through the rugged wilderness or uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations, Mesa Verde and Petrified Forest have something for everyone.
Mesa Verde is known for its incredible cliff dwellings, built by the ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. These structures offer a glimpse into the lives of this ancient culture and the challenges they faced living in the harsh, arid landscape. Meanwhile, Petrified Forest is a treasure trove of petrified wood and vibrant landscapes. With its unique mix of badlands, prairies, and deserts, Petrified Forest is a true gem in the American Southwest.
So, come along with us as we explore the beauty and history of these two incredible parks. We’ll compare and contrast their landscapes, cultural significance, and opportunities for adventure. By the end of this article, you’ll know which park is right for you and be one step closer to planning your next adventure.
Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two iconic national parks in the United States. Both offer unique hiking experiences, with different terrains and landscapes.
At Mesa Verde, visitors can explore the ancient ruins of the Pueblo people, including the famous Cliff Palace, through several ranger-led hikes. The easiest hike is the Spruce Tree House Trail, a 0.9-mile round-trip trail that leads to one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings. The hardest hike is the Wetherill Mesa, a strenuous 5-mile round-trip trail that takes visitors to six cliff dwellings.
Petrified Forest National Park offers a different type of hiking experience, with its stunning landscapes of colorful petrified wood and vast deserts. The easiest hike is the Giant Logs Trail, a 0.3-mile round-trip trail that takes visitors up close to some of the largest petrified logs in the park. The hardest hike is the Blue Mesa Trail, a 6-mile round-trip trail that takes visitors through a rugged wilderness area and offers panoramic views of the park’s landscapes.
Both parks offer a range of hiking experiences, from easy trails suitable for all ages to strenuous hikes that challenge even the most experienced hikers. Regardless of the trail, visitors will be treated to breathtaking views and unique geological wonders.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Mesa Verde National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Point Trail | 4184.284 | 131.9784 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Cliff Palace Loop Trail | 643.736 | 25.908 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balcony House Loop Trail | 643.736 | 27.7368 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Mesa Verde Point Lookout Trail | 3379.614 | 161.8488 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail | 1931.208 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mesa Verde National Park Scenic Drive | 24140.1 | 797.9664 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Long House Trail | 3379.614 | 86.868 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Step House Trail | 1287.472 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Knife Edge Trail | 3218.68 | 46.9392 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Prater Ridge Trail | 11748.182 | 311.8104 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is known for its cliff dwellings, but it also offers a rich array of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see a variety of mammals, such as deer, elk, and coyotes, as well as a diverse bird population, including hawks, eagles, and turkey vultures. The park is home to a number of plants, including pinyon pine, juniper, and sagebrush, that provide habitat for the wildlife.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, on the other hand, is famous for its petrified wood, but it also boasts a unique mix of wildlife. The park is home to many species of reptiles, including rattlesnakes and lizards, as well as a variety of mammals, such as pronghorns, jackrabbits, and coyotes. Birders can also enjoy observing species like roadrunners, ravens, and hawks in their natural habitats. In addition, the park is home to a number of cacti and wildflowers, including the iconic barrel cactus.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Mesa Verde National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Mesa Verde National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Black Bear | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Porcupine | Hoary Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Red Fox |
| Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mountain Lion | Wolf |
| Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Mule Deer | Badger |
| Gray Fox | California Myotis |
| Wolf | Fringed Myotis |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Badger | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Ermine | Western Harvest Mouse |
Reptiles
| Mesa Verde National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Gopher Snake | Gopher Snake |
| Western Terrestrial Garter Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Racer | Western Rattlesnake |
| Western Rattlesnake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Sagebrush Lizard | Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard | Common Kingsnake |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Nightsnake |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Milksnake | Milksnake |
| Striped Whipsnake | Striped Whipsnake |
| Tree Lizard | Southwestern Black-Headed Snake |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Glossy Snake | Glossy Snake |
Amphibians
| Mesa Verde National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Red-Spotted Toad | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot | Plains Spadefoot |
Beautiful Landscapes in Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is known for its ancient cliff dwellings, built by the Pueblo people over 700 years ago. The most famous of these is the Cliff Palace, a large complex of stone and mud rooms that housed over 100 people. Visitors can take guided tours to see these structures up close and learn about the daily life of the Pueblo people.
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is famous for its colorful petrified wood and other fossils, including those of ancient trees and large reptiles. The most popular trails in the park include the Giant Logs Trail, which offers a close-up look at the largest petrified logs in the park, and the Blue Mesa Trail, which takes visitors through multicolored badlands formations.
Both parks offer breathtaking landscapes and opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural history of the American Southwest. Whether you’re interested in ancient civilizations or geological wonders, a visit to Mesa Verde or Petrified Forest is sure to leave you in awe of the beauty and diversity of our planet.
Things To-Do and Activities in Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, offers visitors a unique combination of ancient Puebloan dwellings, scenic drives, and hiking trails. One of the most popular activities at Mesa Verde is touring the cliff dwellings, including the famous Cliff Palace, which was built in the 12th century. Another popular activity is the scenic drive along Park Point Road, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mesas, valleys, and distant mountains. For visitors who enjoy hiking, Mesa Verde features several trails that offer panoramic views of the park and its ancient ruins.
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is known for its vast, colorful collection of petrified wood, as well as its well-preserved Native American petroglyphs and pictographs. Visitors can explore the park on a scenic drive along the 28-mile Park Road, which takes you through the heart of the petrified forest. One of the most popular activities at Petrified Forest is hiking the trails to see the colorful petrified logs, including the Rainbow Forest and the Crystal Forest. For those interested in Native American history, a visit to the Puerco Pueblo and Newspaper Rock, which feature well-preserved petroglyphs and pictographs, is a must. Another popular activity is the park’s ranger-led walks and talks, which provide insight into the history and geology of the area.
Best Time to Visit Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwestern Colorado, experiences warm summers and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from 20°F to 80°F. The park receives an average of 10 inches of rainfall annually, with the majority of precipitation falling in the late summer months. Winter snowfall is common, and roads in the park may close temporarily due to snow and ice.
On the other hand, Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona experiences a more arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. Temperatures at the park can reach over 100°F during the peak of summer, making it important to stay hydrated and protect oneself from the sun. The park receives less than 10 inches of rainfall annually, with most precipitation falling in the late summer and fall. Winter temperatures at the park are mild, with occasional snowfall.
The weather at these two parks affects the best time of year to visit. Mesa Verde is most popular during the summer months, when temperatures are warm and roads are accessible. Petrified Forest, on the other hand, is most visited during the cooler months of spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. Visitors to either park should be prepared for changing weather conditions and plan accordingly.
Family Friendliness of Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Mesa Verde National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are both popular destinations for families. Both parks offer unique experiences and opportunities for children to learn about the natural world and American history.
Mesa Verde is well-suited for families with young children. The park has several self-guided trails, including the Spruce Tree House, which is the best-preserved cliff dwelling in the park. This trail is relatively short and easy, making it a great option for families with children who may not be able to handle longer, more strenuous hikes. Additionally, the park offers ranger-led activities and programs that are designed to engage children and help them learn about the park’s cultural and natural resources.
Petrified Forest National Park is also a great option for families, especially if you’re traveling with older children. The park offers several challenging hiking trails, including the Blue Mesa Trail, which is a moderate hike that takes you through a stunning landscape of colorful badlands and petrified logs. Additionally, the park has a scenic drive that takes you through the heart of the park and provides several opportunities to stop and explore the natural wonders of the area.
In conclusion, both Mesa Verde and Petrified Forest are great options for families, but which one is better for your family will depend on the ages and interests of your children. If you’re traveling with young children, Mesa Verde is a great choice, as it offers shorter, easier trails and ranger-led programs. But if you’re traveling with older children, Petrified Forest is a great option, as it offers challenging hikes and a scenic drive through the park.