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Puerco Pueblo

The ruins of a small kiva resting along the main trail around Puerco Pueblo. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

The Puerco Pueblo Trail is an easy 0.25 paved trail in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona that brings visitors past a remarkable pueblo ruin. Housing roughly 200 people in its prime, its ideal location along the Puerco River provided a thriving community with water and beautiful landscapes.


View more images available as prints from the Flagstaff, Arizona region


Puerco Pueblo Trail Description

From the trailhead, follow the trail south as it heads toward the ruin site. You’ll encounter a fork in the trail to begin the loop, which can be hiked clockwise or counterclockwise. Heading right, you’ll pass the public restrooms opposite the ruins. As you wrap around the southern part of the trail, keep a lookout for petroglyphs carved into the rocks just off the trail. It should go without saying to respect the petroglyphs and view them from the trail only.

Wrapping back around to the north, the loop winds past more ancient rooms of the structure. Admire the site as much as you’d like, and when ready, continue up the trail to close out the loop and head back to the parking area.

Walls of rooms that have been eroded and weathered down at the Puerco Pueblo site. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Getting There

From the Petrified Forest National Park entrance station along I-40, follow Petrified Forest Road (ie, the main road) for 10 miles. Turn left into the Puerco Pueblo Trailhead parking area.

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