Jasper Forest Trail

Why hike it

If you’re here for petrified wood, this is the jackpot. Dropping from Jasper Forest Overlook into a wide badlands basin, you’ll wander among the park’s most diverse and dense concentrations of fossilized logs—massive multi‑colored trunks, log piles, and glittering shards everywhere you look. It’s quieter than the boardwalks and feels like discovery around every bend.

Route and navigation

This is an unmaintained route that follows remnants of a 1930s road (often called the Old Jasper Forest Road). From the overlook parking area, a faint path descends into a drainage and picks up the old roadbed. Expect indistinct tread and few signs. A typical outing is about 2.5 miles round trip, but many people explore farther—plan your time accordingly. The going is mostly gentle, with a modest climb back to the rim, but the route-finding is what makes this a moderate hike.

What you’ll see

The valley floor is littered with enormous, vividly colored petrified logs and countless fragments—far more variety and density than most other stops in the park. Keep an eye out for old gravel segments, culvert stones, and the occasional patch of asphalt—ghostly traces of the 1930s road that once crossed this landscape before being closed in the 1960s to protect the resource. The wood dates to the Late Triassic (around 216 million years old), and ongoing erosion continually reveals new pieces. Expansive Painted Desert vistas frame the scene.

Seasonal notes and best time

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and steadier weather. Summer is brutally hot with no shade, and winter can be cold and windy. Avoid visiting right after rain or snowmelt—bentonite clay here turns into a slick, boot‑clogging mess. For photography, early and late light make the colors pop.

Tips and etiquette

Bring solid navigation (GPS/track), extra water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear. There’s freedom to roam, but tread lightly and do not collect petrified wood or artifacts—leave everything in place. Families with older kids who are comfortable off the beaten path tend to enjoy this more than those seeking a signed, easy walkway.