3 Secret Spots You Didn’t Know Existed in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park

To the east of Holbrook, just off the I-40, is one of the most otherworldly parks to visit in Arizona. Petrified Forest National Park, known for its striated badlands and its Rainbow Forest filled with colorful petrified wood, is a unique place to explore. While most visitors come here to view the petrified wood of the Crystal Forest and along the Giant Logs Trail, as well as the Blue Mesa badlands and the ancient petroglyphs at Puerco Pueblo, there are many hidden spots in Petrified Forest National Park worth seeking. Among them is a hidden overlook, a natural bridge, and even a house made with petrified wood. These incredible sites may be off the beaten path within the massive national park, but they are well-worth it to find.

1. Billings Gap

Take the Billings Gap Overlook Trail for what seems like one of the most secret places in Petrified Forest National Park. In an area that was acquired by the national park in 2004, there have been tremendous archaeological and paleontological discoveries. Not only that, but at about the halfway point on the 2-mile loop trail is Billings Gap, an overlook showcasing an immense landscape of red sandstone, petrified wood, and hoodoos that make the area feel more like another planet.

Since this trail is hard to follow in some areas, it's best to download an offline trail map from AllTrails+ before venturing out to find Billings Gap. The best time to hike the Billings Gap Overlook Trail is February through May and, since not many people seem to venture out to this area, you may have the trail all to yourself!

2. Agate House

Nearly a millennium ago, ancestral Puebloan people lived in the area now known as Petrified Forest National Park, and they used petrified wood to make tools and even building materials. One of the most intriguing hidden gems in the park is the Agate House, a reconstruction of an eight-room house that was occupied sometime between 1050 and 1300 A.D. and located by agricultural fields. Trekking along the Agate House Trail, you'll notice this unique structure, reconstructed in the 1930s and perched atop a small hill. Its construction with petrified wood certainly gives the home a striking appearance.

The trailhead is located near the parking lot of the Rainbow Forest Museum and Visitor Center at the center of the Petrified Forest in Holbrook. As for accessibility, there are three accessible parking spots in the lot, and the trail is paved for approximately a half mile before it becomes gravel, so those with strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility equipment may need some assistance.

3. Onyx Bridge

Another lesser-known attraction in Petrified Forest National Park is the Onyx Bridge. Located off the I-40 by the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, the 4-mile Onyx Bridge Trail provides stunning views, petrified wood, and ancient petroglyphs on boulders along the way. Once you get to the overlook, you'll see a long natural bridge formed by petrified wood that's over 210 million years old. This natural wonder is a fascinating stop in one of the most unique national parks in the U.S.

Why These Hidden Gems in Petrified Forest National Park Are Worth Finding

If you're someone who loves to go off the beaten path in search of hidden gems, these locations are tucked away from the crowds as if the landscape is guarding their secret locations. Imagine having expansive views from Billings Gate all to yourself, and being able to photograph the Agate House and Onyx Bridge without waiting for the crowds to thin out. Being in the presence of 225 million years of natural history, plus the ancient human history of the Agate House, against a backdrop of badlands formed with colorful bands of blues, purples, oranges, and reds, is quite an extraordinary experience.

3 Hidden Spots You Didn’t Know Existed in Petrified Forest National Park

Although visitors from around the world visit Petrified Forest National Park for its colorful petrified wood dotting the Painted Desert's badlands in northern Arizona, there's far more to see here. While Billings Gap, the Agate House, and the Onyx Bridge are off the beaten path within the massive expanse of the 221,390-acre park, they are hidden gems worth discovering. Visit the Petrified Forest National Park page for park hours, visitor center locations, and park alerts. This national park charges a fee of $15-$20 per vehicle, $45 for a Petrified Forest National Park annual pass, or, if you have one, the America the Beautiful annual pass for entry.

To further enhance your trip to the incredibly unique landscapes of this park, discover more things to do in Petrified Forest National Park.