Imagine what you can see by walking one of the short maintained trails or even hiking into the backcountry along one of the Off the Beaten Path routes! Painted Desert Inn: Originally built by the Civilian Conservations Corps, the inn now serves as a museum and national historic landmark. Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark (museum) is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm all year round. Learn about entry fees, what weather to expect, what to do with your pet, and other things to know before you come. Rainbow Forest Museum's Blue Mesa Room takes you back in time. Get a personal look at the longest concentration of fossil trees in the Petrified Forest National Park. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. Rainbow Forest Museum: Located within the Rainbow Forest – one of four major concentrations of petrified logs. Over 13,000 years of human history can be found at Petrified Forest. You can drive 28 miles through the park and then connect to Highway 180. Summer thunderstorms intensify the beauty of landscape while cooler temperatures of the fall attract larger crowds. It is located in Flagstaff at the same exit for Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There is an 18 minute looping film dedicated to the history of the park. Things To Do Learn how to get around and view area maps. Lone Logs: A large concentration of logs, some reaching lengths of 120 feet. It is open year-round and located about 125 miles away from Petrified Forest. This massive park’s central area can be experienced in a day, but of course, there is so much more to explore if you have more time. Learn how to keep yourself safe while exploring the park. Find info on where to get food and lay your head. Lauren Himiak is a freelance writer and editor, and has visited all 62 national parks in the United States. Winter is also exceptionally beautiful, covering the Painted Desert with sparkling snow. We work to create comprehensive guides to the national parks and lands. Places to Go You will find the Petrified Forest National Park Arizona as you head into the New Mexico Board on I-40. Ancient people may not have understood that the petrified wood around were actually fossilized logs, and instead had their own beliefs. The Petrified Forest National Park is the only national park to protect a portion of Route 66. I-15 climbs a steep hill out of the valley so make sure your vehicle is in good working order. The main park road will take you through 28 miles of stunning scenery and viewpoints, so even though the driving distance is short, you'll probably spend hours getting in and out of the car to photograph and take in the scenery. Oct 24, 2020. Calendar Petrified Forest, AZ Petrified Forest's terrain can present challenges. Petrified Forest National Park is a unique park that you can easily visit in one day. Out of Riverside, take I-215 to I-15. Orientation: Petrified Forest National Park is located in northeastern Arizona, about 50 miles from the New Mexico border. Hiking, guided tours, horseback riding, ranger talks...it's all here. Named for its large deposits of petrified wood, the park covers about 346 square miles (900 square kilometers), encompassing semi-desert shrub steppe as well as highly eroded and colorful badlands. Petrified Forest National Park is living example of our history, revealing the world’s largest concentrations of brilliantly colored petrified wood. Nearby Attractions The Navajo believed the trees were the bones of Yietso, a great monster their ancestors slew. Agate House: An eight-room dwelling built by ancestral Puebloans more than 800 years ago. Old Faithful: The largest fossil log whose diameter is 9.5 feet. Wupatki National Monument: The Wupatki Pueblo was the largest of its kind less than 800 years ago and served as a meeting place for different cultures. Near the Painted Desert Visitor Center, pull over to see the fabled route that enchanted a nation with the romance of cruising the open road much like the cowboys did a generation before. Petrified Forest allows time for a scenic drive with opportunities to get out and explore by foot. Publications There are two visitor centers at Petrified Forest National Park. This side of the park features panoramic views from the Painted Desert Overlooks, the historic Painted Desert Inn (museum), the old Studebaker car near the famous Route 66. Nearby campgrounds include a KOA and RV park in Holbrook, located about 26 miles west. Arizona Start planning your Arizona vacation with the Official State Visitor's guide - available in print, electronically, or both. El Malpais National Monument & National Conservation Area: The name actually means “the badlands” and showcases lava beds, ice caves, and Puebloan ruins. This broad area of colorful badlands stretches over 160 miles and passes through some spectacular landmarks, including Grand Canyon National Park and Wupatki National Monument. Most of the Petrified Forest National Park's petrified wood comes from tall conifers. Designated hiking trails range in length from less than a half-mile to three miles, and each trail promises you a breathtaking view of the surrounding Painted Desert. In 2012, I was on a cross-country road trip from Tennessee to Colorado. Over 13,000 years of human history can be found at Petrified Forest. You can call, email or fill out a form to report lost and found here. Located deep in the remote backcountry of western Arizona’s wide expanses, Petrified Forest National Park’s 81,000 hectares encompass 225 million years of geological and cultural history. Visiting Petrified Forest National Park. Exploring the rock features and hoodoos of the area consists of a more choose-your-own-adventure sort of hike, since there's no official trail once you get to … 86028. Petrified Forest is one of the smallest national parks, and many of its best sights can be seen from right off the road. Among trails of lava flow and cinders, visitors can see signs of wildlife, trees, and wildflowers. Basic Information I was a college student on a budget and wanted to save as much money as possible. Read our tell-all guide and prepare for an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Blue Mesa Trail: Get out of the car and explore this one-mile route through the scenic badlands. The park road stretches 28 miles and visitors should plan at least a half day if not a full day to tour the park. Stop and see the Agate House as well, which is a 900-year-old dwelling. A book store which you can access online as well that sells… Fill out the form to request your free travel packet, which includes an Arizona Official State Visitor's Guide and an Arizona state highway map. Located at the north end of the Painted Desert off of I-40, exit 311, the Painted Desert Visitor Center provides complete service for your visit. Petrified Forest National Park services available: The Painted Desert Visitor Center and the Rainbow Forest Museum are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Walnut Canyon National Monument: Located in Flagstaff, AZ this area was home to the Sinagua Indians. Park Tally: 10/59. You can call, email or fill out a form to report lost and found here. The best route takes you north through Flagstaff before hopping on Interstate 40 all the way to the park. Learn about points of interest to help you plan your own road trip through the park. You can see so much just from your car and a few stops at overlooks. Where to begin? When to Visit. ... National Park Obsessed is your guide to the national parks. Petrified Forest National Park is an American national park in Navajo and Apache counties in northeastern Arizona. Petrified Forest National Park. I wanted to camp in Petrified Forest but the park … Trip Itineraries Painted Desert Visitor Center Address: 123 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028, USA, United States Painted Desert Visitor Center Contact Number: +1-9285246228 Painted Desert Visitor Center Timing: 08:00 am - 05:00 pm Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: Also located in Flagstaff, this monument showcases the volcanic eruptions that occurred sometime between 1040 and 1100. Petrified Forest National Park is a beautiful area in about an hour and a half east of Flagstaff in Arizona. One of the lesser-visited parks in the U.S., its looming spires and ancient stones mesmerize those who bother to make the long trek out. From prehistoric ancestors to the Civilian Conservations Corps, many humans have left their mark in this park. The park's headquarters is about 26 miles (42 km) east of Holbrook along Interstate 40 (I-40), which parallels the BNSF Railway's Southern Transcon, the Puerco River, and historic U.S. Route 66, all cr… Nearby lodging is also in Holbrook, including the American Best Inn and Holbrook Comfort Inn. This is one national park that can be visited any time of the year. These ancient trees grew more than 200 million years ago along waterways, where periodic flooding uprooted trees. See our suggestions for what to do depending on your time. Visiting Petrified Forest National Park. How to Get to Petrified Forest National Park Petrified Forest National Park is one of the best day trips from Sedona. Meet the "Grand Circle" of National Parks, Don't Pass By These Northern Arizona Destinations, How to See the Tallest Trees on Earth: California's Redwoods, How Long It Takes to Drive From Reno to Major Attractions in the West, How to Get to National Parks From Salt Lake City, UT, These Are the Top 15 Destinations in Chile, A Visitor's Guide to Utah's Arches National Park, Science Says This is the Perfect U.S. Road Trip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: The Complete Guide, A Travel Guide to Petrified Forest National Park. The spring is also a great time to see the desert in bloom, though keep in mind it tends to be quite windy. It is believed that the oldest habitation site may have been occupied just prior to A.D. 500. The park has two gateways – the north entrance off I-40 where the Painted Desert Visitor Center is situated, and the south entrance off US 180 where the Rainbow Forest Museum can be explored. Frequently Asked Questions about Petrified Forest National Park hotels What are the best hotels near Painted Desert? Along with hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding, the Park Service also hosts a variety of ranger-led events, including guided tours and cultural demonstrations. El Morro National Monument: Two ancestral Puebloan ruins showcase inscriptions of pre-Columbian Indians. Petrified Forest is a surprising place, offering far more than the world renowned petrified logs. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Petrified Forest National Park Area. If you travel from Westbound I-40, take exit 311. Located along the historic route 66, it is a great park to add to your trip if you are already planning to visit the southwest. Petrified Forest National Park provides access to many outdoor activities, and the best way to enjoy and experience it is on foot. Imagine what you can see by walking one of the short maintained trails or even hiking into the backcountry along one of the Off the Beaten Path routes! Petrified Forest National Park landscape was shaped by wind and water, leading to all the natural wonders that we see today. Visitors come to Petrified Forest National Park to enjoy this unique and surreal landscape, a surprising splash of color in the desert’s depths. Newspaper Rock: Two large boulders covered by more than 600 petroglyphs. Only a portion of the desert is in the national park, but a visit to Petrified Forest allows you to experience facets of the painted desert as well. Petrified Forest Visitor Centers. Download or view our trip planner, site bulletins, and other publications for quick, yet detailed information. Experience one of the world’s largest and most vibrantly colored assemblies of petrified wood, historic structures, and archaeological sites at Petrified Forest National Park. Arizona is home to one of the nation’s most beautiful landscapes known as the Painted Desert. The north entrance is where the Painted Desert Visitor Center is located. Top Places to Visit in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona: See Tripadvisor's 4,493 traveller reviews and photos of Petrified Forest National Park attractions. This is a very quick stop and your first look at the painted desert hills. Trails of Petrified Forest National Park If you are craving some quiet solitude, the Painted Desert is perfect for hiking and contemplation. Experience the history that Petrified Forest National Park has to offer. 200-million-year-old fossils tell the tale of the prehistoric earth and its inhabitants in Arizona’s Painted Desert. There are things to do and see in the areas beyond the park boundary. You might wish to revisit it someday again, to take a break and relax at Petrified Forest National Park. Activities include camping, hiking, and horseback riding. There is no overnight camping in the park right now. The closest airports are in Phoenix, AZ, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Driving into the park is your best bet, considering you can also tour Grand Canyon National Park, the iconic Route 66, and other points of interest along I-40. Yet, giant pieces of petrified wood lie scattered revealing a colorful timeline. This is one national park that can be visited any time of the year. Agate House. This viewpoint is … To visit is like traveling back in time to a land that remains radically different than the one we know. Wilderness camping permits will not be issued at this time. And in the middle of this vivid desert lies a hidden treasure showcasing an environment over 200 million years old. Taking a tour of the park is like taking a tour of our history; from the petroglyphs of ancestral Puebloan people to Painted Desert Inn built by the Civilian Conservations Corps. Get information on Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Cliff dwellings are accessible by trail and this historic monument is about 107 miles west of Petrified Forest. Walk through thousands of years of history. Tiponi Point. While the landscape beyond the visitor centers and museums may seem barren, there are many secrets to uncover in the park. Eating & Sleeping Petrified Forest National Park backcountry includes 50,260 acres of established wilderness. Find info on where to get food and lay your head. 31 Oct 2020 1 Nov 2020 Jennifer Melroy. Visitors can actually get an up close look at the quartz that replaces much of the wood tissue about 200 million years ago. One of many historic buildings in Rainbow Forest Complex Located near the southern entrance to the park, off US-180 Services include: visitor information, orientation, and backcountry permits; A free 18 minute orientation film is shown continuously Find what is available to visitors with special needs. The Devil's Playground is a fun region within Petrified Forest National Park that takes a fairly long walk to reach. Petrified Forest National Park Facts Paleontologists have flocked to Petrified Forest National Park since the early 1900s to explore the petrified wood and other types of fossils. Those traveling from Eastbound I-40 should take exit 285 into Holbrook then take Highway 180 South to the park's south entrance. Accessibility Pintado Point: The highest pull-off and overlook of the Painted Desert. 49.5 miles from Petrified Forest National Park #2 of 14 hotels in Winslow “ Easy to get to, excellent, quick check-in, flawless, clean room that we emerged well rested from, and a great shower. Rainbow Forest Museum. Hiking, guided tours, horseback riding, ranger talks...it's all here. Many features can be reached in one day trip, most lying within a few miles of the park road. Day hikes are the most popular way to explore the backcountry. Directions & Transportation Annual National Park passes may also be used to waive entrance fees, otherwise, both drivers and those on foot will be charged (different) admissions fees. For those curious to know if man-made petrified wood has ever been made, it has, but it lacks the random beauty of natural wood. This "Plan Your Visit" section has all kinds of helpful tips. Learn how to get around and view area maps. Petrified Forest National Park is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. Learn more about Visitor Information before traveling to Petrified Forest National Park. A Travel Guide to Petrified Forest National Park History. The Paiute believed the logs were the arrow shafts of Shinuav, their thunder god. Grand Canyon National Park: Part of the Painted Desert, Grand Canyon remains one of the most popular and most iconic national parks. Secrets of the Park A smattering of petrified wood in the Jasper Forest. Learn about entry fees, what weather to expect, what to do with your pet, and other things to know before you come. Days Inn by Wyndham Chambers Near the Petrified Forest East, Welcome Inn & Suites, and Rodeway Inn Silver Creek Inn are some of the most … Andrew Kearns. Petrified Forest National Park is a fantastic park in northeast Arizona that preserves some of the United State’s best collections of petrified wood. Click here to view all the guides avialable for Arizona. The whole desert is about 120 miles (190 km) long and 60 miles (100 km) wide. Go. There are no developed trails in Petrified Forest wilderness, so most hiking is cross country style. NPS. Here are some of the highlights: Overnight backpacking is allowed in the wilderness areas but since Petrified Forest National Park does not have campground facilities, most visitors opt for lodging outside of the park walls. Lost and Found The trip to Petrified Forest National Park is a fairly easy journey that will take you through the heart of the desert southwest. Petrified Forest is a surprising place, offering far more than the world renowned petrified logs. You can see so much just from your car and a few stops at overlooks. I took a little detour to stop and visit Petrified Forest National Park. Another option is taking I-17 North and 4-East, passing through Flagstaff, AZ. This trail is about one and a half miles long. 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