Agate House Hike + Long Logs Hike

If a visitor to Petrified Forest National Park only had time for one hike beyond the very short trails at popular stops like Crystal Forest or Blue Mesa, the trail to Agate House with the Long Logs loop included is an excellent choice. The hike shows of some of the longest and largest petrified logs in the park, showcases an area of badlands, and includes the most spectacular archaeological site in the park.

From the far eastern end of the visitor center parking lot, the trailhead is just a short walk across the bridge that crosses the wide wash. Much of the trail is across open grassland with scattered brush and many petrified wood log segments. The Agate House is visible for a long way, perched at the top of a hill. Likely inhabited between 1050 and 1300, the Agate House was built entirely of petrified wood pieces and mud mortar. The structure was partially reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930. There are hundreds of remnants of similar structures scattered around the park.

Returning from Agage House, the Long Logs Loop branches off on the right at the site of a former parking area. This short loop shows off some huge petrified logs and marvelous badland hills. The juxtaposition of these very different rock formations is striking.