Discovering Nature and History at the Petrified Forest National Park:

The Petrified Forest National Park houses the largest collection of petrified wood in the world. It is also the proud home of several historical structures, archaeological sites with million-year-old fossils, and a lot of other things to see and learn about. So if you’ll be in Arizona, make sure you drop by this enlightening tourist attraction to have fun and learn at the same time.  

How to Get There:

To get to the Petrified Forest National Park, you can fly in to major airports in Arizona, Phoenix, and Albuquerque. The park can be reached by car from the airport. If you are arriving from Phoenix, you can travel Interstate Hwy 17 North and go through Flagstaff where you will take 1-40 East, but you can also take Highway 87 North from Phoenix, which will take you through Payson, Heber, and Holbrook until you reach the park. You can also reach the park from Albuquerque, which is 204 miles away on West Interstate 40. 

Things To Do at Petrified Forest Park:

There are several activities you can enjoy at the Petrified Forest National Park, but most of them are outdoor activities. Aside from the general sightseeing, you can also go hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and bird-watching. Ranger programs are also offered. The park is a hiker’s haven, with 7 hiking trails spanning more than 52,000 acres of untouched wilderness. Adventurers can also backpack across the same expanse of land, but backcountry permits are required, which can be acquired at the visitor center. Reservations are not honored for the permits.  

Guided Tours at the Park:

Aside from that, the Petrified Forest National Park visitor center also conducts various tours and special programs. They have the Triassic Park Walk or Talk, which is a walking tour guided by a ranger who can fill you with knowledge about the things you will see at the Giant Logs Trail. They also have the Painted Desert Inn Tour, which is also a guided tour, but is done indoors and focuses more on the park’s history. They also have the Puerco Pueblo Walk, which focuses on the history of the Puebloan folk who lived in the pueblo in the ancient times. The tour covers 1/3 of a mile. Their special programs also include the Learning Center Lecture Series, where lectures are held every first Wednesday of the month. Various topics about nature are discussed. They also have the Artist in Residence Program where artists can hone their skills in the midst of the park’s natural and inspiring beauty. 

General Information Park Information:

To avoid any hassle during your vacation trip to Petrified Forest National Park, here are some valuable information about this tourist attraction. 

Reservations: Reservations for the tours and special programs are highly recommended.