The Little-Known Hiking Path inside the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

Life isn’t linear, and we must travel off the beaten path to face some challenges along the way. Sometimes, we come out victorious, while other times, we might fall flat on our faces. But isn’t that the best part of our incredible journey? I don’t mind taking on a challenge, especially when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. Finding new and perhaps secluded places to explore just adds to the thrill of the trek. Tucked inside the mysterious Petrified Forest National Park near Sun Valley AZ, Devil's Playground Loop is one such destination. This 7.5-mile hike is not only challenging to access, but the remote trail is also out of this world - literally. If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, then let’s jumpstart the year on this little-known hiking path in Arizona.

Of the 19 named trails inside Petrified Forest National Park, Devil’s Playground Loop is one of the lesser-known treks. It’s also one of the most remote and exclusive trails in the park. Of course, this means you might have this secluded trail to yourself - making it a great destination to jumpstart your year.

Located in the backcountry section of the forest, just accessing this trail could be a challenge. Limited passes can be acquired at the park’s visitor center and issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. I highly recommend that you plan ahead before you tackle this trail. However, once you have your pass, you’re in for a real treat! 

To say the landscape is unique would be an understatement. Along with the colorful “painted desert,” the eroded terrain is covered with massive boulders, hoodoo towers, piles of rocks as far as the eye can see, hidden caves, and sprinkled with million-year-old petrified wood. Moreover, there are flat expansive surfaces that give you lots of space to roam. Truly, this trail is otherworldly and there is a surprise around every corner!

As one of the most unique hikes inside the forest, you could easily spend all day exploring this backcountry trail. There are plenty of places to go off trail as well as to climb over the boulders for extra adventure. You can see why this place is called the Devil’s Playground because you can literally get consumed playing here all day. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture images of this impressive and otherworldly landscape.

The expansive trail isn’t well marked, so it’s best to download AllTrails+ to have access to the map. But to be honest, you’re going to create your own adventure as you trek here. Dogs are welcomed, as long as they are on a leash. I wouldn’t recommend this for the kiddos though, it might be a bit too challenging for them. Between the expansive colorful landscape and the incredible rock formations, this hiking trail could become your new favorite playground in the state. 

This little-known hiking path in Arizona will certainly get you ready for whatever challenges you might face in the coming year. I hope you conquer them too!

Are you ready to jumpstart your year with a challenging hike? If so, visit the Devil's Playground Loop AllTrails listing to see more images and check out some of the great reviews about this hike. You won’t be disappointed. 

Read on for more outdoor hiking adventures in Arizona. And you’ll want to visit the Petrified Forest National Park to learn more about this mysterious forest.