"Blue Mesas, Rainbow Rocks" Top 5 Page for this destination Petrified Forest National Park by catalysta

Petrified Forest National Park Travel Guide: 119 reviews and 402 photos

Petrified Logs - Petrified Forest National Park

The Story Of Time, Written In The Earth

In some of the most barren and arid lands of North America, once huge forests flourished. Ancient crocodiles and strange amphibious monsters prowled through the swamplands.
Now the remains of magnificent trees roll around the desert floor, transmuted by time and the waters in which they lay for eons, waters rich with silica. Forever beautiful, rainbow colored chunks of rock they will remain, now exposed to the relentless sun.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fascinating, easy for a self-guided tour
Cons:DRY!!! Bring lots of water, don't walk without it
In a nutshell:An excellent small park, laid out well for a day trip

Last visit to Petrified Forest National Park: May 2004
Intro Updated May 13, 2004
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Reviews (15)

Petrified Wood Closeup - Petrified Forest National Park

If you really have to take some rocks... Shopping (1)

At the south entrance to the park you'll find a large souvenir shop that offers all the rocks, fossils & petrified wood... more travel advice

Hoodoos - Petrified Forest National Park

Hoodoos Closeup Off The Beaten Path (4)

A zoomed view... Hoodoos are irregular rock figures, formed by the action of the wind & water on sedimentary rocks that... more travel advice

Blue Mesa Hoodoos - Petrified Forest National Park

Hoodoos of the Mesa Off The Beaten Path (4)

This is an eerie land, full of wind-sculpted hoodoos and strange spirits. Keep to the trail, please don't venture off.... more travel advice

Petrified Wood Chunks - Petrified Forest National Park

The remains of the forest Off The Beaten Path (4)

Now we can explore the fossils they left behind as they gradually emerge from the windblown sedimentary mesas. The Blue... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Bring your own!

Things to Do (9)
See All The South Entrance to the Park

Travelogues (1)

Written May 16, 2004

8 photos

The Petroglyphs of the Anasazi

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Comments (25)

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VeronicaG Dec 6, 2007 at 1:12 PM

Loved the hoodoo's and the petrified rock house built by the Anasazi...very ingenious! Enjoyed your tips very much, Wendy. This looks like it would be a great place to visit...
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gilabrand May 10, 2007 at 11:24 PM

Taking rocks home - I have a tip like that on my Israel page. Except I just said pick them up, not buy them...LOL
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victorwkf Jul 23, 2006 at 10:50 PM

This is a very interesting place indeed :)
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starship May 23, 2006 at 5:21 AM

Fascinating place made even more so by your great photos!
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zrim May 22, 2006 at 8:35 AM

Isn't this just a surprisingly great park. Went there in March and even thoughwe got sleeted upon, we had great adventures wandering through the mesas and petrified logs.
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shrimp56 May 22, 2006 at 8:31 AM

Some nice rocks here:) I particularly like the Hoodoos. You give great advice for desert wanderings.
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robertgaz Apr 30, 2006 at 9:26 PM

I love your warm and vivid story style Wendy... the bright colours here remind me so much of my part of this wonderful world :~)
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hindu1936 Mar 24, 2006 at 11:17 PM

Wonderful pictures. we are going through there this summer. you have helped. thanks
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scottishvisitor Mar 7, 2006 at 9:25 AM

Amazing place! Your tips are enticing with great photos to match. The power of wind & water creating the Hoodoos = wow!
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willy_wonka Oct 30, 2005 at 12:11 AM

wow wendy! i just love your photos and i really enjoyed reading your tips on this most interesting place! i love desert landscapes, this place is a must on my list now! cheers.