Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National
Park is a most strange-shaped park, with a 28 mile road through the
center. Founded in 1906, additional parcels have been added over the years.
In the southern part of the park, there are thousands of petrified trees
scattering the ground.
From the park brochure: "This high, dry tableland was once a vast floodplain
crossed by many streams. Tall, stately pine-like trees grew along the
headwaters. Small dinosaurs and crocodile-like reptiles lived among a
variety of ferns, cycads and other plants and animals that are known only as
fossils today. The trees fell and were washed by swollen streams into the
floodplain. Silt, mud, and volcanic ash then covered the logs. This blanket
of deposits cut off oxygen and slowed the logs' decay. Gradually,
silica-bearing ground waters seeped through the logs and, bit by bit,
replaced the original wood tissues with silica deposits. As the process
continued, the silica crystallized into quartz, and the logs were preserved
as petrified wood. That was about 225 million years ago. Later, the area was
lifted far above sea level; wind and water have worn away the layers of
hardened sediments, exposing the fossilized remains. There is evidence in
the park of human occupation for more than 10,000 years." That is your
geology lesson for the day.
We stopped at more than a dozen sites in the park. One exceptionally
interesting vista was Newspaper Rock. Huge boulders, covered with
petroglyphs, have fallen off a cliff and are visible from a lookout.
Petroglyhs at Newspaper Rock
At the most northern portion of Petrified Forest National
Park is the
Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark - a pueblo structure with
exhibits on cultural history - which was once a very nice hotel for visitors
to the area. The views from the Inn are to the Painted Desert - where
mineral deposits "paint" the nearby hills.
Petrified Forest National Park lies between Interstate 40 and Highway 180. I
suggest you do the entire drive.
See the park website for detailed directions. Restrooms, gift shops,
snack and water are available inside the park, but there is no RV or tent
camping allowed with the park.
RV Parks:
Holbrook/Petrified Forest KOA
102 Hermosa Drive
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Information: (928) 524-6689
Reserve Online or By Phone: (800) 562-3389
Pretty noisy, since it is right on the freeway, but
the only show in town. They have 30 (and some 50) amp
full-hook-sites, gravel pull-throughs and tent sites. Cell service, wifi, pool
in season, laundry,
dog friendly, pool and a big pancake breakfast.
Sites are pretty tight together.
TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & LEARN MORE:
Read our postcard
from Petrified Forest National Park