Tawa Trail
An accessible grassland walk linking Tawa Point with the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
Route overview
Tawa Trail in Arizona.
This open, gently graded route crosses high-desert grassland between Tawa Point and the visitor-center complex, pairing broad Painted Desert views with cultural context around the Hopi concept of Tawa.
Trail facts
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Arizona
- Distance
- 1.9 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation gain
- 24 m
- Best season
- Check current official seasonal access and conditions
- Trail type
- point-to-point
Safety context
The official distance is one-way. Arrange a return walk or vehicle plan and finish within park-road hours. Expect full sun, wind and little shelter; carry water and leave the route if thunderstorms develop. Check current official conditions, closures, weather and access rules before departure.
The official distance is one-way. Arrange a return walk or vehicle plan and finish within park-road hours. Expect full sun, wind and little shelter; carry water and leave the route if thunderstorms develop.
Highlights
Tawa Trail, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona hiking, Painted Desert, NPS trail
Why find a buddy
Well suited to beginners, mixed-mobility groups and partners seeking a quiet point-to-point walk. Match on return logistics, heat tolerance and preferred interpretive pace.
Primary source
Explore and prepare
Discover hikes by intent, read the hiking guides, review hiking safety, prepare a BuddyPack, or browse hiking plans.
Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.