Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park is a United States National Park that is in eastern Arizona, in the Southwest region. The park takes its name from the remnants of ancient trees which have been transformed into brilliantly colored minerals through a series of geological processes.
Understand
History
Petrified Forest was set aside as a national monument in 1906 to preserve and protect the petrified wood for its scientific value. The monument became a national park in 1962, and legislation passed in 2004 more than doubled the park's area from 93,533 acres to 218,533 acres.
Petrified Forest National Park features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation known as the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils. The park is now recognized as protecting the best representation of the Late Triassic Period in the world, and on average paleontologists discover about two new animal species each year.
Landscape
The park features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation known as the Painted Desert, and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils.
Flora and fauna
The park includes a grassland ecosystem and the badlands of the Painted Desert. The terrain changes quickly as you travel through the park, from the vistas of the Painted Desert, into the grassland of a large plateau, through grand geologic formations, and arrays of richly colored petrified wood.
Animal life at Petrified Forest includes amphibians, birds, insects, spiders, mammals, and reptiles. Birds, lizards and some rodents are seen most frequently, though seasons and weather play a large role in determining what animals are active. Nocturnal animals include kangaroo rats, woodrats (also called packrats) and most other small desert rodents, skunks, foxes, bobcats, bats and owls. Animals that can be seen during the day include pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, squirrels, hawks, snakes, lizards, golden eagles, and many songbirds.
Climate
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The park has summer daytime average temperatures in the 90s F and summer overnight temperatures in the 60s F. Winters are mild, frequently freezing overnight but warming by mid-afternoon to an average of 40°F. Park closures for weather are possible but not frequent.
Get in
By car
An automobile is the only feasible way of getting to the park, located off of Interstate 40 in northeastern Arizona, 106 miles east of Flagstaff and 178 miles west of Albuquerque. Westbound Interstate 40 travellers should take exit 311, drive through the park and connect with Highway 180 at the south end. Highway 180 north returns to Interstate 40 via Holbrook. Eastbound Interstate 40 travellers should exit at Holbrook and travel on Highway 180 south to the park's south entrance. Drive north through the park to return to Interstate 40.
By plane
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG IATA) has commuter service to Phoenix on American Airlines.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ IATA) is a full-service airport served by most major US airlines.
By train
- See also: rail travel in the USA
The nearest city with an Amtrak station is Gallup, New Mexico, about 1 hour east of the park on Interstate 40. It is served by the Southwest Chief Chicago - Los Angeles route.
Fees and permits
Entrance fees are $5 for individuals on foot, bike or motorcycle, and $10 for private vehicles. The Petrified Forest Annual Pass is available for $20 and allows free park entry for one year.
There are several passes for groups traveling together in a private vehicle or individuals on foot or on bike. These passes provide free entry at national parks and national wildlife refuges, and also cover standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. These passes are valid at all national parks including Petrified Forest National Park:
- The $80 Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. Military personnel can obtain a free annual pass in person at a federal recreation site by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID.
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over can obtain a Senior Pass (valid for the life of the holder) in person at a federal recreation site for $80, or through the mail for $90; applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and age. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities. Seniors can also obtain a $20 annual pass.
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities can obtain an Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) in person at a federal recreation site at no charge, or through the mail for $10; applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities.
- Individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program can receive a free Volunteer Pass.
- 4th graders can receive an Annual 4th Grade Pass that allows free entry for the duration of the 4th grade school year (September-August) to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid in a Park website is required.
In 2018 the National Park Service will offer four days on which entry is free for all national parks: January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), April 21 (1st Day of NPS Week), September 22 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day weekend).
Get around
Petrified Forest National Park is open to the public every day of the year except for Christmas Day (December 25). Park access is prohibited at night without a permit. Park hours are:
- 7AM to 7PM MST (Summer)
- 7AM to 6PM MST (Spring & Fall)
- 8AM to 5PM MST (Winter)
Unlike most western states, Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time, remaining on Mountain Standard Time year-round. However, many visitors arriving from the Navajo Reservation (which does observe DST) travel with their clocks set an hour off. Check the time to make sure you don't accidentally get locked in at night.
By car
A car is the easiest way of getting around in the park, with the 28 mile (45 km) park road allowing visitors to travel through the park from end to end without backtracking. Eastbound travelers should enter at the south off Highway 180, and exit at the north onto Interstate 40. Westbound travelers should enter at the north at Exit 311 off Interstate 40, and exit at the south onto Highway 180.
By bicycle
Bicycles are permitted only on the established paved roadway and cannot be used on paved or dirt trails or off road at any time. In addition, if planning to see the park from a bicycle be aware of the potential for extreme heat, thunderstorms, or high winds and plan accordingly.
See
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Caution: It is illegal to remove petrified wood or any natural, archeological, or historical object from the park. When you enter and leave the park, rangers may ask you if have any petrified wood in your possession. The rangers are legally empowered to inspect your vehicle if they are suspicious of theft. Violators will be fined and/or imprisoned. |
- Giant Logs Trail. An easy 0.4-mile paved trail behind the Rainbow Forest Museum that passes by numerous petrified logs, including the park's largest, nicknamed Old Faithful.
- Long Logs Trail. An easy 0.6-mile loop trail that is 0.5 miles from the Rainbow Forest Museum. This trail passes through the park's largest concentration of petrified wood.
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Agate House. Accessible via a 0.5-mile spur (one-way) off of the Long Logs Trail, this trail leads to an rebuilt pueblo that was constructed out of petrified wood.
- Crystal Forest Trail. A few miles north of the Rainbow Forest area, the Crystal Forest is accessible via an 0.8-mile paved loop trail that winds among some particularly colorful petrified logs.
- Jasper Forest. A roadside turnout overlooks hundreds of logs that have been deposited amongst badlands through the erosion of the surrounding rocky bluffs.
- Agate Bridge. This bridge was created as softer rocks eroded around a large petrified log, leaving a lengthy bridge between bluffs. The early park service built several stone supports to keep the bridge from collapsing, greatly diminishing the beauty of this natural wonder.
- Blue Mesa. A one-mile loop trail leads into the Blue Mesa area, one of the most colorful landscapes of the park. Minerals in the soil have stained the surrounding bluffs with exquisite colors, while petrified logs have been deposited throughout the area as the bluffs have eroded.
- Newspaper Rock. A roadside overlook leads to an area in which hundreds of petroglyphs have been etched into the rock.
- Puerco Pueblo. A short trail leads around an 800-year-old pueblo that once contained 100 rooms and housed as many as 1200 people.
- Kachina Point / Painted Desert Inn. The Painted Desert Inn is a historic building list on the National Register of Historic Places that offers tremendous views and murals by noted Hopi artist Fred Kabotie. The end point of the one mile rim trail is here.
- Tawa Point. Another painted desert overlook, and the starting point of the Rim Trail.
Do
- Hiking. Most of the overlooks offer short loops trails, providing the visitor with a more intimate encounter with the natural features of the area. The Blue Mesa trail, the Crystal Forest trail, and the Long Logs trail are highlights.
- Horseback riding. Horses are allowed into the wilderness areas of the park. Trailers can be parked at the Painted Desert Inn, and water for horses is available at the service station near the Painted Desert Visitor Center. No water for horses is available in the wilderness area.
- Photography. The brilliant shapes and colors in the park's landscape make excellent photographic subjects. Light can be extremely harsh during mid-day, so it is best to enter the park as soon as the gates open in order to capture the best photographic conditions.
- Backpacking. The wilderness areas of the park provide backpackers with an escape from civilization. Access is from the trailhead near the Painted Desert Inn, but be aware that you must carry water as none is available in the wilderness areas.
- Ranger talk/walk. There are several ranger talks and walks given daily at the Painted Desert Inn, the Puerco Pueblo, and the Rainbow Forest Visitors Center. See the park newspaper for a schedule.
Buy
There are stores just outside the park which sell petrified wood souvenirs. These specimens were (or were supposed to have been) collected outside the park boundaries. This is why rangers will ask about possession of petrified wood when you enter the park. Additional souvenirs may be purchased at the gift shops located near the Painted Desert Visitor Center or the Rainbow Forest Museum. Both of these areas also offer bookstores selling books of local interest.
Eat
There is a snack shop located near the Rainbow Forest Museum. The Painted Desert Visitor Center area offers a restaurant and travel store selling snacks. Additional restaurants and grocery stores can be found 30 miles west in the town of Holbrook.
Drink
The consumption of alcohol or the presence of open alcoholic containers is prohibited, except in picnic areas or concession food service facilities. Water and other beverages can be obtained either near the Rainbow Forest Museum or the Painted Desert Visitor Center.
Sleep
Lodging
Lodging is not available within the park, but many hotels can be found in the towns of Holbrook (20 minutes west), Winslow (1 hour west), Flagstaff (1.5 hours west), and Gallup (1 hour east).
Camping
There are no organized campgrounds within the park. Some of the souvenir shops located just outside of the park's southern entrance will allow camping or overnight parking on their properties as long as you purchase at least one item from them.
Backcountry
For those who wish to stay overnight in the park's wilderness area, a free permit must be obtained at least one hour before the park closes. Permits are issued from either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Hikers must park their cars in the Painted Desert Inn parking area and use the access trail on the northwest side of the building. Backpackers must hike to a designated zone north of Lithodendron Wash before setting up camp. No campsites are maintained in the Wilderness Area, and you must carry all of your water in with you.
Stay safe
The primary dangers in the park are from the weather. Summer storms can bring lightning, high winds and flash floods, while the heat can cause dehydration and heat stroke. Avoid open areas during storms, and drink plenty of water (at least one gallon per day). Always be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions; from July through August expect afternoon monsoon thunderstorms, while from October through April expect cold temperatures and possibly snow. High winds are also common, and can bring blowing sand that makes hiking unpleasant if not dangerous.
Go next
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument. 97 miles north of the park, this monument lies within Navajo Nation and contains numerous sites that are sacred to the Navajo people.
| Routes through Petrified Forest National Park |
| Flagstaff ← Holbrook ← | W  |
→ Gallup → Albuquerque |
| Flagstaff ← Holbrook ← | W  |
→ Silver City → Deming |
| Flagstaff ← Holbrook ← | W .svg.png){kind=small} |
→ Gallup → Albuquerque |