Badlands National Park – South Dakota
Most people automatically think of Mt. Rushmore when they hear about traveling to South Dakota. But the area also features Badlands National Park, just 75 miles east of Rapid City.…
Wind Cave National Park – Hot Springs, SD
The cave system at Wind Cave National Park spans over 150 miles, making it the third-longest cave in the United States. Cave explorers continue to map out new passages and…
Shenandoah National Park – VA
Shenandoah National Park is where it all started. Not for the park service, but for our own family. When Thing 1 was in second grade, she performed in a class…
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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