Read more about the article Petrified Forest NP – Arizona: Part 2 – Painted Desert

Petrified Forest NP – Arizona: Part 2 – Painted Desert

People mistakenly interchange the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. However, the Painted Desert is just one part of Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Located at the northern end of the park just off I-40, visitors can see the pinks, oranges and red hues of the Chinle Formations for miles.

Even though it encompasses 218,000 acres, the park doesn’t offer lodging. In fact, the park closes nightly so plan your visit accordingly. Most visitors exit I-40 (Exit 311) and only tour the Painted Desert area. However, you can take the 28-mile Park Road to see the Blue Mesa area and the concentration of petrified logs closer to the southern entrance. Two visitor centers offering refreshments, bathrooms and information flank both ends of the park.

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Read more about the article Petrified Forest NP – Arizona: Part 1 – Southern Entrance
Quartz crystals in the logs

Petrified Forest NP – Arizona: Part 1 – Southern Entrance

The Petrified National Forest features two distinct sections – the southern end near Holbrook, AZ and the northern end just off I-40, which includes the Painted Desert.

Southern Entrance

First protected as a National Monument in 1906 and upgraded to a National Park in 1962, only 600,000 people visit annually. Coming from Flagstaff, we exited I-40 at Holbrook and traveled 20 miles on US Hwy 180 to the southern entrance station. From that entrance to the other end of the park is 28 miles, but packed with geological wonders.

The southern section focuses on six “forests” that contain petrified logs. Over 200 million years ago, this land hosted trees along a river system. Over time, the trees died and volcanic ash buried them. Later, the area rose above sea level and became the arid desert it is today.

To really appreciate these fossilized trees, visitors need to get out of the car at one of the many stops.

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Read more about the article Walnut Canyon National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona
Native American Cliff Dwellings

Walnut Canyon National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona

Just about 15 minutes outside of Flagstaff, lies Walnut Canyon. Established as a national monument by Woodrow Wilson in 1915, the park preserves ancient cliff dwellings from the Sinagua Indians.

The park is small; encompassing 3,600 acres and averaging 100,000 annual visitors. And because it only offers two short trails (less than one mile each), exploring can be done in an hour or two.

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