Pros & cons
PROS
- Permit cap often means genuine solitude in a wild corner of the park
- Freeform exploration among hoodoos instead of a fixed, signed trail
CONS
- Very limited, in-person permits can derail plans if you arrive late
- Dirt access road can become sketchy or impassable when muddy
Follow the park’s permit instructions to the dirt access road; park as directed near Lithodendron Wash by two brown NPS signs. From your vehicle, cross Lithodendron Wash and pick up sparse NPS markers before the route becomes off-trail.
Permit required; limited availability. Mostly unmarked, off-trail navigation with zero shade and no water sources—carry ample water, sun protection, and a GPS/map. Dirt road access varies; avoid if muddy. Expect minimal elevation change but rugged footing.
Why hike it
If you like wild, otherworldly landscapes and don’t mind navigating without a formal trail, Devil’s Playground is your spot. This is a 7.6-mile total loop through colorful badlands and hoodoos—think bands of blue, purple, and gray, scattered petrified wood, and even a typically dry waterfall tucked into the northwest corner of the park. Permits are limited, so you’ll likely have the place to yourself. It feels less like a hike on a tread and more like a choose‑your‑own exploration among bizarre rock sculptures.
Permits and access
This area is permit-only and access is strictly limited. Permits are free, first-come, and issued in person at the park’s visitor center; arrive early (especially early in the week) for the best odds. The park provides a short guidance sheet for finding the route. You’ll drive a dirt road to reach the start; high clearance is recommended but not strictly necessary in dry conditions. If the road is muddy, rethink it.
The route and difficulty
Expect an off-trail loop with occasional route-finding. The approach starts near Lithodendron Wash; after parking, you’ll cross the wash and follow sparse NPS markers before entering the core “playground,” where you weave among hoodoos and badlands. It’s mostly flat with minor ups and downs, but there is zero shade, no water, and the footing varies between sandy wash, eroded badlands, and rocky patches. Plan 3–5 hours depending on how much you explore.
What you’ll see
Erosion has sculpted fantastical hoodoos and spires out of the multi-hued Chinle Formation—layers laid down over 200 million years ago. The color palette is unreal: grays, purples, and blues stacked in stripes. You’ll encounter scattered petrified wood along the way and a dry falls feature on the northwest side of the loop. Photographers love the textures and shapes here—bring a camera and time to poke around.
Tips and navigation
Bring more water than you think you need, full sun protection, and a downloaded GPX/map. Treat any GPS track as a general guide, not a strict line; once you’re in the Playground, pick lines that keep you on safe terrain. The start can feel vague—look for the area just past Lithodendron Wash near two brown NPS signs, then spot the occasional NPS markers before the route turns freeform.
Best time to hike
Spring and fall are the sweet spots—cooler temps and softer light. Summer afternoons can be punishing with full exposure and no shade. Go early in the day for better light on the bands of color and cooler hiking, and to grab a permit before they’re gone.
Near Devil's Playground Loop
All places →All trails →
Blue Mesa OverlookSweeping badland vistas with a short paved loop into the colorsTrailhead · Parking
Crystal ForestShort paved loop through the park’s densest, most colorful petrified logsTrailhead · Parking
Giant LogsShort loop with the park’s biggest, most colorful petrified logsTrailhead · Restroom
Jasper Forest OverlookPanoramic petrified‑wood views with optional off‑trail exploringTrailhead · Parking
Blue Mesa TrailShort, paved loop into blue badlands studded with petrified logsEasy · 1 mi · 36 min
Giant Logs LoopShortest path to the park’s biggest, most colorful petrified treesEasy · 0.4 mi · 30 min
Crystal Forest TrailPaved loop through dazzling petrified logs—big payoff, minimal effort.Easy · 0.8 mi · 30 min
Long Logs TrailBiggest, boldest petrified logs on an easy loopEasy · 1.6 mi · 1.5 hr
