Near Blue Mesa Trail
Blue Mesa View- Petrified Forest National Park
Near Blue Mesa Trail
Marlena walking on Blue Mesa Trail loop
Near Blue Mesa Trail
Trail without ramp
Near Blue Mesa Trail
Shattered trees.
Near Blue Mesa Trail
Petrified Forest National Park

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Blue Mesa Trail

4.5 (31 Ratings)
A breathtaking loop in the midst of the Painted Desert
0.8
mi
Distance
15
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Family FriendlyViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.77mi
Distance
15ft
Elevation Gain
114ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
5,629ft
High Point
5,502ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Located within the Petrified Forest National Park past Newspaper Rock, the trailhead at Blue Mesa is marked by a sun shelter. The steepest section of this loop is at the trailhead, where you'll begin your descent into a lowland situated between the rolling badland-type hills of the painted desert. Follow the gravel trail around the loop before climbing moderately back to the parking area.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Jasper Forest Road

Hike Route

Jasper Forest Road

Less Crowded
easy
2.43 mi
+125 ft
Crystal Forest Trail

Hike Route

Crystal Forest Trail

Family Friendly
easy
0.85 mi
+27 ft
Painted Desert Rim Trail

Hike Route

Painted Desert Rim Trail

Views
easy
0.59 mi
+19 ft
Painted Desert

Hike Route

Painted Desert

Views
easy
0.55 mi
+224 ft
Giant Logs Trail

Hike Route

Giant Logs Trail

Family Friendly
easy
0.45 mi
+27 ft
Pointe

Hike Route

Pointe

easy
0.42 mi
+129 ft
Contributors
Hunter R