Nature Trail

Take a relaxing walking tour through the Mississippi Petrified Forest on a shady paved trail among the ancient trees. You'll enjoy the many points of interest along the self-guided half-mile nature trail.

Leashed Pets Welcome!

Admission Rates

Adult
$7.00 ea + tax

Student (1st-12th Grade)
$6.00 ea + tax

Senior (65+)
$6.00 ea + tax

Group Admission Rate (15 or more): $5.00 each + tax

A dirt trail in a dense forest with green foliage and tall trees. There is a wooden railing along the side of the trail and several large petrified wood logs in the foreground.
A dirt trail in a dense forest with green foliage and tall trees. There is a wooden railing along the side of the trail and several large petrified wood logs in the foreground.

What to Expect

Distance: ~1/2 mile loop

Difficulty: Easy to moderate — family friendly

Time: ~30 minutes at a leisurely pace

Hours: Trail entry ends one hour before closing.

The Nature Trail is a half-mile loop designed to be easy and enjoyable for most visitors.

  • Trail Surface: About half of the trail is paved. The other half is natural packed dirt and sand — not steep or difficult, but it can be uneven or bumpy.

  • Cut-Through Option: A shortcut path lets you skip the unpaved section if you prefer to stay on paved ground.

  • Accessibility: Strollers and wheelchairs can navigate the paved portion, though the dirt section may be more challenging.

  • Rest Stops: Benches are located along the trail for breaks.

  • Shade: Most of the trail is shaded, making it comfortable year-round.

Admission includes:

Entrance to the Petrified Forest
Wander the self-guided Nature Trail and explore at your own pace.

Nature Trail Guide
Printed guide matches numbered sites along the trail to highlight the geology and history of the forest. Also available in Spanish, German, and French.

Earth Science & Natural History Museum
Discover petrified wood, gems, minerals, fossils, and more from around the world.

Park & Picnic Areas
Pack a lunch, bring a frisbee, or just relax under the shade trees.

Bonus: The trail is pet-friendly! Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join, but we ask that you clean up after them.

A tabby cat with white paws sitting on a log fence in a wooded area, with pine needles on the ground.
A dirt trail in a wooded forest with tall trees, green foliage, and a wooden fence on the right side.
A dirt forest trail with a wooden fence on the right side, surrounded by green trees and petrified logs on the ground.
Looking up at tall trees with green leaves and blue sky visible through the canopy.
Several large rocks on a forest floor covered with pine needles, surrounded by green plants and bushes.
A dirt walking trail with wooden railings on both sides, surrounded by dense green trees and foliage, in a forest setting.
A dog with a white and brown coat, wearing a black harness with a checkered pattern, sitting on a forest floor covered with pine needles and small green plants, surrounded by tall trees and lush green foliage.
A forest scene with two large tree trunks framing a view of a petrified trees on a mossy hillside with fallen leaves and pine needles on the ground.