"Desert with Preserved Wood and colorful hills" Top 5 Page for this destination Petrified Forest National Park by BruceDunning

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

Map of the parks and towns in NE Arizona

Region of sites in area

In the midst of the Hopi and Navajo reservations, this painted desert has some of the more colorful scenes to enjoy and take pictures of.

Petrified Wood Details

15 feet petrified log

The petrified wood is fantastic to look at not only for the wonder of how these logs ended up on the top of the ground, and the various color mixes; all brilliant and bright and a Nature magic trick. Minerals from other sources leech into the wood and that replaces the wood fiber cellulose materials and being buried draws out the oxygen which is the petrification process. That process over many years has the minerals in the earth replace harden inside the wood tree which the outer form remains intact, and the minerals colors then become prominate. The core mineral is silicate/quartz and the others mostly magnesium, copper, iron and zinc

Map of the park

Park map of sites

The park is comprised of 50,000 acres and it sprawls in a north/south boundary. It has 27 miles of road throughout. The only exit to access I40 is #311, which requires a drive around the north section of the park before being able to get to the exit, or getting off and go the other way. There are 8 view overlooks, most in the north sector, and 8 places to hike and see the interior more.
The best way to see it all and avoid double back of driving is to start at Hwy 180 in the south and head north to all the stops; or alternatively exit I40 highway and see the northerly sites, and then head south to Hwy 180 and wrap around to go back to Holbrook which is east about 26 miles.

Pros and Cons

Pros:This was a surprising delightful visits and so much color
Cons:Too many of meandering tourists and pilerage of wood
In a nutshell:The park has a variety of sites-petrified wook, Indian ruins, and colorful mountains

Last visit to Petrified Forest National Park: Sep 2009
Intro Updated Oct 18, 2009
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Reviews (12)

Indian theme for the trading post - Petrified Forest National Park

Hubbell Trading Post Off The Beaten Path (2)

This site is about 30 miles form Petrified Forest. It is not a National Park Service site and open for tours. A home... more travel advice

Notice of Do NOT TAke - Petrified Forest National Park

Do NOt Touch to TAke Warnings and Dangers (1)

There are pamphlets given out to all tourists to forewarn not to take any petrified wood. It says a piece in the gift... more travel advice

Sign after Holbrrok toward Petrified Forest area - Petrified Forest National Park

Holbrook Town Off The Beaten Path (2)

This sleepy town was once more vibrant when mining took place around here. Now the population continues to diminish, and... more travel advice

View of the building form the roadside - Petrified Forest National Park

Painted Desert Inn Things to Do (9)

This used to be a trading post, then an inn and still is today. It is now a museum, , small gift shop, and restaurant... more travel advice

Comments (11)

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KimberlyAnn Dec 7, 2010 at 3:42 PM

I have thought of visiting this area, but after reading your tips, it sounds even more interesting. The painted desert is also beautiful, and I didn't know it was even there. Thanks for the great page.
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deecat Nov 16, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Really enjoyed your tips about the Petrified Forest National Park. I've never been there so I was especially fascinated. Excellent photographs.
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DennyP Oct 12, 2010 at 5:31 PM

Wonderful page Bruce on this part of the country...great informative tips with good pics..I was there some years and haven't been able to get a site on here to put them..Thanx also for visiting my Uluru page..
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Nemorino Oct 12, 2010 at 1:29 PM

Fine photos and interesting explanations! It's always amazing to think about how all those different minerals leech into the wood and replace the wood fiber cellulose materials. Then all it takes is a few hundred years without oxygen to finish the job.
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balhannah Mar 29, 2010 at 3:26 AM

Nice page! Wonderful colours in the landscape and the petrified logs, would be very interesting to see.
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starship Mar 4, 2010 at 9:36 AM

Nice page! Excellent information on petrification, and descriptions. Also great directions! Thanks for sharing -- I'd love to visit this park some day.
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tiabunna Dec 22, 2009 at 4:30 AM

I reckon I'd really enjoy a visit here. Spectacular scenery and some interesting geology, mixed with history: not a bad combination.
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toonsarah Dec 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM

We passed through here some years ago but didn't have time to see anything like as much as you. I love your Painted Desert shots especially!
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evaanna Nov 6, 2009 at 2:42 AM

Stunning landscapes! Thanks for the wonderful virtual tour.
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Cristian_Uluru Oct 31, 2009 at 6:38 AM

Another fantastic place I'd like to visit!!! Amazing photos!