Arizona - Petrified Forest National Park 
The Petrified Forest National Park lies in the arid northeast of Arizona in the Painted Desert (so called because of its brilliantly colored sandstone in shades of red and blue).
Origins
In the Mesozoic era this was a plain traversed by numerous watercourses, with a vegetation of horsetails, ferns and coniferous trees in particularly well watered areas. When a tree fell it was covered by river-borne sediments and sealed off from the air, hindering the natural process of decay. In wet periods water containing silicon oxides filtered into the rotten wood, and when it became drier the water evaporated and the silicon oxides crystallized. The concentration gradually became so high that quartz (rock crystal, amethyst, agate, onyx, cornelian, jasper, etc.) was formed, preserving the internal cell structure and the external appearance of the trunk. Then in geologically recent times erosion by wind and weather freed the petrified plant remains from the overlying sandstone and brought to light not only fossilized plant remains (fern leaves, pine cones, etc.) but fossils of shellfish, snails, fish, amphibians and reptiles.
Origins
In the Mesozoic era this was a plain traversed by numerous watercourses, with a vegetation of horsetails, ferns and coniferous trees in particularly well watered areas. When a tree fell it was covered by river-borne sediments and sealed off from the air, hindering the natural process of decay. In wet periods water containing silicon oxides filtered into the rotten wood, and when it became drier the water evaporated and the silicon oxides crystallized. The concentration gradually became so high that quartz (rock crystal, amethyst, agate, onyx, cornelian, jasper, etc.) was formed, preserving the internal cell structure and the external appearance of the trunk. Then in geologically recent times erosion by wind and weather freed the petrified plant remains from the overlying sandstone and brought to light not only fossilized plant remains (fern leaves, pine cones, etc.) but fossils of shellfish, snails, fish, amphibians and reptiles.
Hobbies & Activities category: National park; Wildlife area, bird sanctuary
Attractions within Petrified Forest National Park
Painted Desert Wilderness
The Painted Desert Wilderness is part of Petrified Forest National Park, covering 43,020 acres of mesas and badlands with scattered areas of grassland.Black Forest
The Black Forest is part of the Painted Desert Wilderness in Petrified Forest National Park, and contains the Onyx Bridge. The Black Forest contains darkly-colored petrified wood.Onyx Bridge
The Onyx Bridge in the Black Forest is a 50-foot long petrified tree.Pilot Rock
Pilot Rock is the highest point in Petrified Forest National Park, at 6,295 feet.Park Road
The 23mi/42km long Park Road runs through the finest parts of the National Park.Agate Bridge
Agate Bridge is part of a petrified tree of which both ends are still embedded in the sandstone.
This stone log is harder than the sandstone around it. The bridge has resisted erosion and remained
This stone log is harder than the sandstone around it. The bridge has resisted erosion and remained
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Agate House
Agate House is a partly restored Indian pueblo toward the south end of Park Road in the Rainbow Forest. Agate House is constructed entirely of petrified wood by Indians in the 16th C.Blue Mesa
At the Blue Mesa area it can be seen how the petrified remains of trees have been exposed by erosion.
A one-mile loop interpretive trail begins near the turnoff from Park Road. The Blue Mesa has
A one-mile loop interpretive trail begins near the turnoff from Park Road. The Blue Mesa has
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Chinde Point Overlook
Chinde Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road.Crystal Forest
Crystal Forest is named for its wealth of semi-precious stones (rock crystal, amethyst, etc.) and fossil remains of plants.A loop trail takes a three-quarter mile path through the forest.
Flattops
The two Flattops are relics of the layer of sandstone which once covered the whole plain.The remaining capstone or flattops protect layered deposits that have long since eroded from other parts of Petrified Forest National Park.
Jasper Forest
Jasper Forest is a valley filled with the fossil remains of trees.The logs are scattered over the desolate valley. Many more existed until pioneers began removing the logs from Jasper Forest by the cart load.
Kachina Point Overlook
Kachina Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road, and has the trailhead for access to the Painted Desert Wilderness Region.Painted Desert Inn Museum
The Painted Desert Inn Museum at Kachina Point is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1924 and rebuilt in the late 1930s.Lacey Point Overlook
The Lacey Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road.Long Logs
The Long Logs is a petrified logjam in the Rainbow Forest. Some of the logs measure over 100 feet long. The Long Logs trail provides impressive views in the Giant Forest.Newspaper Rock
Newspaper Rock is a huge block of sandstone with Indian rock drawings.Nizhoni Point Overlook
Nizhoni Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road. Pieces of selenite gypsum on the hillside below appear to be shards of glass in the shining sun.Painted Desert Visitor Center
Just south of Interstate 40 on Park Road, the Painted Desert Visitor Center is the north entrance station for Petrified Forest National Park. It has a 17-minute film on how wood is petrified, along
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Pintado Point Overlook
Pintado Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road.Puerco Indian Ruin
Puerco Indian Ruin is the remains of a settlement occupied by Pueblo Indians 600 years ago.Rainbow Forest Visitor Center
The Rainbow Forest Visitor Center is the south entrance station to Petrified Forest National Park, with exhibits of petrified wood.Tawa Point Overlook
Tawa Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road.Teepees
Fourteen miles south of Interstate 40 on Park Road are the Teepees, which are colorful eroded formations.Tiponi Point Overlook
Tiponi Point Overlook is one of eight overlooks of the Painted Desert on Park Road.Whipple Point Overlook
The Whipple Point Overlook of the Painted Desert is named for one of the first Europeans to visit the Petrified Forest, Lieutenant A.W. Whipple. The overlook is 4.5 miles south of Interstate 40 on Park Road.Rainbow Forest Wilderness
The Rainbow Forest Wilderness in the Petrified Forest National Park has 7,240 acres of grassland, badlands and petrified wood deposits. There are also traces of Indian settlements.Petrified Forest National Park
Box 2217
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028-2217
United States
Phone 1 (928) 524-6228
Fax 1 (928) 524-3567
Website
Box 2217
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028-2217
United States
Phone 1 (928) 524-6228
Fax 1 (928) 524-3567
Website
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| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | |
| Closed | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | |
| Always closed on: | ||||||||
| New Year's Day (January 1) Christmas - Christian (December 25) | ||||||||
Extended hours during the summer.
No campgrounds in the park, only wilderness backpack camping is allowed.
Collecting petrified wood is prohibited.
Inform the visitor center if you are planning a long hike in the area.
No campgrounds in the park, only wilderness backpack camping is allowed.
Collecting petrified wood is prohibited.
Inform the visitor center if you are planning a long hike in the area.
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