Day 4 – Petrified Forest National Park - May 26th, 2025

 I woke up the next morning to a chorus of chirping birds. It was loud—some of them sounded mad to me—but I figured they were just singing their usual sunrise songs, and re grateful for another day. After I walked to the showers, I learned there was no hot water. Still, I managed to take a cold shower in the 38°F morning chill—refreshing and energetic.

Back in the parking lot, I made oats with dates for breakfast. I attempted coffee but failed—my compact coffee gear needed a proper wash, and without a real sink, that would have to wait. So I hit the road toward Petrified Forest National Park in the Arizona desert.

Driving through Arizona is always a unique experience. This was only my second time here, but I absolutely love it. The wide skies, red sands, and surrounding Native communities give the land a spiritual meaning. There’s something humbling about passing through these lands—small houses, handmade signs, art stands by the roadside—it all adds to the sense of being somewhere sacred, somewhere old.

On the way, I made a quick stop near Shiprock, New Mexico. I didn’t get too close—the dirt road was rough—but even from a distance, it stood tall and powerful.

I arrived at Petrified Forest National Park around 11 a.m. and the heat had already climbed to 82°F. The visitor center was my first stop. I inquired about a wilderness permit in case I wanted to camp inside the park, but I hadn’t decided on camping yet—which I’d later regret not planning in advance.

Petrified Forest is split into two sections by Historic Route 66 and Interstate 40. I started in the northern portion, exploring the Painted Desert, Tawa Point, and Pintado Point—dramatic red and pink hills that look painted by hand. 

But it wasn’t until I reached the middle of the park at point The Tepees that I was absolutely stunned. The badland hills—layered clay and mudstone—were fascinating I felt I am on a different plant. I hiked about 4 miles in the midday heat through some remote trails. I only ran into one other hiker, and we swapped phones to take each other’s photos. This was not an everyday opportunity.

But the real magic hit in the southern portion of the park. When I reached the Crystal Forest Trail, I was blown away. For nearly two miles, I couldn’t stop saying “Unbelievable” I even laughed out loud at how surreal it was—giant trees turned to stone, scattered across the desert.

I spoke with another visitor who pointed out a sign: over 220 million years ago, this area was near Costa Rica before the continents drifted. These petrified trees were once part of a thriving forest, now fossilized by time and turned into rocks and crystal. A reminder that nothing stays the same.

 I ended my visit with a hike to Agate House, reconstructed in 1933 on the original base of the house which was once used by Ancestral Puebloan people built from petrified wood and located on a hill in the rainbow forest. I chatted with a family about how ancient civilizations lived without doors, letting wind and light in through as part of their architecture.

After the long, hot hike, I grabbed an ice cream from the visitor center store—so needed and sat on a seat on the parking lot and I was thinking about how organized this park and extremely clean.  I watched a mom chase down some Walmart bags the wind had blown away while her kids gave up. She didn’t. That small moment genuinely made my day. We all need to a better job of taking care of the nature we have left.

It was nearly 6 p.m. and I had no idea where I was sleeping that night. I set my GPS toward Saguaro National Park, about 4.5 hours away, and figured I’d drive two hours before stopping for the night.

I followed Highway 60 into the mountains, entering Fort Apache Reservation—twisty, narrow roads with sharp switchbacks. Beautiful but intense. I aimed for a site called First Campground—but it was closed. A bit frustrated, I kept driving.

Next was Seneca Lake Recreation Area. A lake sounded great—until I arrived. It was completely abandoned. Graffiti, broken signs, crumbling infrastructure and vandalism all over.  I kept driving through the dark forest, finally arriving at Timber Camp Recreation Site. It was... okay but empty and quiet. I didn’t feel safe camping solo there, so I kept going until I reached the small town of Globe, which seems very industrialized. Later I searched and the place is known for copper mining.

I took a short break in Globe to check my phone and saw a nearby campground with a recent good review—my last hope; otherwise, I would have to get a hotel which was against the protocol.  The place called Christmas Recreation Site, and when I arrived found people camping all over with kids playing around and so much laughter. Sigh!

I made noodles, ate some snacks, pitched my tent, and finally, by 10 p.m., crawled into my sleeping bag.

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