About
Petrified Forest National Park is located in the northeastern corner of Arizona, United States. The park covers an area of 229.6 square miles (594.6 sq km).
The park is renowned for the comprehensive collection of petrified trees. These are some of the most fascinating facets of nature found anywhere in the United States. However, the park offers so much more than encounters with these solidified trees.
The park is comprised of badlands, buttes, fossils, mesas, petroglyphs, wildflowers, and wildlife. Although much of the park can be seen from the scenic drive and short vista hikes off the main roads, there is so much to discover and explore once you exit the comforts of the car and main road.
The park sits at an average elevation of 5,400 feet (1,600 m) featuring over 400 species of vegetation. Grasslands comprised of blue grama, bunchgrass, and sacaton are some the most prevalent of the 100 plus species of grasses.
The grasslands give way to a number of wildlife species. Pronghorns are one of the most commonly seen with hopeful predator sightings including bobcats and coyotes. There are over 200 species of migratory and resident species of birds for the birdwatchers who visit the park. The golden eagle is probably the most exciting bird species.
The main attraction of the park is the fossils from the Late Triassic Epoch period. The majority of fossils are the petrified trees that are scattered across the landscape.
Photos
Things to See
Things To Do
Engaging Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park Trails
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park and the best way to experience much of what the park has to offer. Although there are lookouts along the scenic drive through the park that provides panoramic views of the area, hiking is the more meaningful way to engage the wilderness.
The park has seven maintained trails that vary in length from under half a mile (0.8 km) to around 3-miles (4.8 km). Backpackers can secure a permit for remote wilderness hiking and overnight stays in the park.
FAQ’s
What is Petrified Forest known for?
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is known for its remarkable fossilized wood, vibrant painted desert landscapes, and rich archaeological heritage.
The park preserves one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world, with logs dating back over 200 million years to the Late Triassic Period. These ancient trees have been preserved through a process of fossilization, where organic material is replaced with minerals, resulting in stunning displays of colorful crystalized wood scattered across the desert landscape.
In addition to its petrified wood, the park is renowned for its breathtaking badlands scenery, characterized by colorful layers of sedimentary rock, eroded buttes, and deep gullies.
Visitors to Petrified Forest National Park can explore a network of hiking trails that wind through the painted desert, offering opportunities to marvel at the vibrant hues of red, orange, purple, and blue that adorn the landscape.
The park also contains significant archaeological sites, including ancient petroglyphs and the remains of ancestral Puebloan villages, providing insights into the human history of the region. Overall, Petrified Forest National Park offers visitors a chance to experience the wonders of geology, paleontology, and archaeology in a stunning desert setting.
What is Petrified Forest known for?
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona, is known for its remarkable fossilized wood, vibrant painted desert landscapes, and rich archaeological heritage.
The park preserves one of the largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood in the world, with logs dating back over 200 million years to the Late Triassic Period. These ancient trees have been preserved through a process of fossilization, where organic material is replaced with minerals, resulting in stunning displays of colorful crystalized wood scattered across the desert landscape.
In addition to its petrified wood, the park is renowned for its breathtaking badlands scenery, characterized by colorful layers of sedimentary rock, eroded buttes, and deep gullies.
Visitors to Petrified Forest National Park can explore a network of hiking trails that wind through the painted desert, offering opportunities to marvel at the vibrant hues of red, orange, purple, and blue that adorn the landscape.
The park also contains significant archaeological sites, including ancient petroglyphs and the remains of ancestral Puebloan villages, providing insights into the human history of the region. Overall, Petrified Forest National Park offers visitors a chance to experience the wonders of geology, paleontology, and archaeology in a stunning desert setting.
Sources
- American Southwest, Petrified Forest National Park, https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/petrified_forest/national_park.html, retrieved June 2020.
- Britannica, Mesa Verde National Park, https://www.britannica.com/place/Petrified-Forest-National-Park, retrieved June 2020.
- National Geographic, Complete National Parks of the United States, National Geographic Publishing, Washington DC.
- National Geographic, Guide to the National Parks of the United States, National Geographic Society, 2003.
- National Geographic, National Parks of North America, Canada-United States-Mexico, National Geographic Society, 1995.
- National Park Service, Petrified Forest, https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm, retrieved June 2020.
- UNESCO, Petrified Forest National Park, https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5253/, retrieved June 2020.
- USA Today, Petrified Forest National Park 10 tips for your visit, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/national-parks/2018/03/28/petrified-forest-national-park-10-tips-your-visit/463822002/, retrieved June 2020.
- Visit Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park, https://www.visitarizona.com/uniquely-az/parks-and-monuments/petrified-forest-national-park, retrieved June 2020.