Blue Mesa Trail

Name: Blue Mesa Trail
Rating: 4.3

4.3 ( 10 )

Trail

0.8 mile 1.3 kilometer point to point
Easy/Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 29' 9 m
Descent: -121' -37 m
High: 5,625' 1,715 m
Low: 5,505' 1,678 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 4% (2°)
Max Grade: 22% (12°)

Dogs

Leashed

Driving directions Take a virtual tour

Zoom in to see details

Map Key

To-Do's
Check-Ins

Trail shared by Hunter R

Weather

Getting forecast...

Current trail conditions

Unknown See History

Popular hikes nearby

Crystal Forest Trail

0.9 mi 1.4 km • Loop • 38 ft Ascent 11.68 m Ascent

Paved Path Holbrook, AZ

( 7 )

Giant Logs Trail

0.4 mi 0.7 km • Out and Back • 33 ft Ascent 9.99 m Ascent

Paved Path Holbrook, AZ

( 8 )

Navigate on-trail with our free app

“A breathtaking loop in the midst of the Painted Desert”

— Hunter R

GPX File

Features Views

Family Friendly Children will love the beautiful vistas present along the trail.

Overview

Beautiful hills of blue and purple bentonite clay command this striking landscape, adding a scenic backdrop to any outing on this smooth-treaded and gently graded hike.

Need to Know

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen along, as there is no shade on the route save for a sun shelter near the trailhead.

For those trying to photograph this area, the most spectacular colors are easiest to capture after rainfall, but regardless of the weather, the wonder and majesty of the park is ever present.

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.