32 Underrated National Parks Perfect for Avoiding Summer Crowds

23. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona: Timeless Beauty in the Painted Deser

Often overshadowed by Arizona's flashier parks, Petrified Forest is a stunning desert mosaic of rainbow-hued badlands, fossilized trees, and ancient petroglyphs. The surreal landscapes of the Painted Desert stretch in quiet waves of color, and trails like the Blue Mesa Loop offer peaceful solitude among stone logs that have endured for over 200 million years. With few crowds and vast open vistas, the park invites slow exploration and reflection on deep geologic time. Wander through ancient ruins, spot lizards darting across cracked earth, and discover how stillness can feel deeply alive.