Category: | National Park |
Address: | Arizona |
Phone: | +1 928-524-6228 |
Site: | nps.gov |
Rating: | 4.6 |
MY
my name is maxcapax
Climate change man-made? And like the petrified trunks come in the desert? One must not believe everything yes - and parrot. This comes to mind when I see here are these thick tree trunks. And evidence of the natural shift in climate zones there it everywhere to marvel at in the southwest. The displays are rapidly explored, the NP northwards over the Painted Desert NP. The rock lights in every conceivable color - and at this point even more impressive than the other "Painted Deserts". An instructive and impressive experience - when the light plays along. THANK YOU Time required: half a day. Perhaps summed up the Winslow Meteor Crater.
MA
Mary Collins
Anyone who is disappointed in the Petrified Forest simply did not take the time to really discover all of the layers of the park. The petrified wood may be the star of the show on the website and travel sites but in reality there are many other much more interesting things in the park, including, 13,000 year old human settlements; fossil remains of creatures and plants from 225-years ago in the Late Triassic period; outstanding paved short trails through all sorts of incredible landscapes, including the Blue Mesa Trail which feels as though you landed on another planet. Ancient rock art (petroglyphs), sunsets over the Painted Desert; trails open and available to all ages, even the handicapped. Wow. Every person I spoke to at the park who had also gone to the Grand Canyon agreed that the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert was an infinitely more interesting experience because of the accessibility of trails and views, smaller crowds, and rapidly shifting landscape along the one 28 mile road. One drawback: no decent food in the park or even in the town of Holbroke. Suggestion: Take the 45 minute drive to Winslow and eat and stay at the world class Posada Hotel, which is remarkable affordable and considered one of the best historic hotels in the world. Really.
HA
Happy Choupette
What wonders! This park will make you want to become geologists and archaeologists as the scenery is amazing, varied and beautiful. Our planet is full of surprises and curiosities To do ideally early in the morning for the best light, better temperature (do not forget that we are in a desert) and the least possible world.
NA
Natasha Kay
GO TO THE SOUTH END!!!! Well, we were Very excited to visit but AAA really screwed us up. While driving cross country from San Diego to OK on the 40 we desperately wanted to see this place. Instead of following the freeway signs we followed ourTripTic AAA guide map. By doing this it took is to the North end of the park where you can pay $20 to look out at a view and see a museum and visitor center. All the cool logs, petrified forest and all that good stuff you need to go to the south entrance, this park is huge. Unfortunately we could not afford to turn around and backtrack 30-40minutes back west so we missed it. Thanks for nothing AAA
NO
Nomadic Fulltimer
What a lovely National Park to stop at while passing through on I-40. Very intriguing! We loved the colorful quartz of the petrified wood and the petroglyphs. Feeling blessed that it was this green in late summer! We were traveling in our motorhome with a car in tow. They have parking for motorhomes at the visitors center just inside the gate on the north entrance. So we were able to unhook our car and enjoy stops and the Twenty Mile round trip from our vehicle. **Be aware the only restrooms are at each entrance** (the visitors center north entrance, and rainbow forest south entrance)
CR
craig zale
Pretty incredible place , the museum is neat but the real show is to get on the road that goes through the park. it Is many miles long and by the time you stop at each area you will easily spend a minimum of two hours and could spend a whole day without any trouble and still not see it all. This was not part of our planned trip but wow was it well worth it. The pictures are good but this is just one of those you have to stop and see it for yourself. Real family memories that will last a lifetime.
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Reynard The Fox
The petrified forest is just as it sounds but if you are expecting to see trees frozen in time standing up straight you will be disappointed. The petrified remains of trees lays strewn across the desert floor and are accessible by many overlook points. The park stores provide plenty of wood to buy that is collected from private land owners and they take removing any pieces of park trees extremely serious. This is a good driving park that you can stop along the way and explore at your pace.
LI
Linda Arredondo
I have to admit when I was told about this park I was less than excited however the beauty of the landscape won me over. This park is an all day experience and I would highly advise you to bring a warm weather jacket if visiting in the spring, as that the temperature dropped and there was a brisk wind (at least for us). A very enjoyable experience with unique trails to walk and a chance to understand the history of both the American West and the primordial history of the planet.
MI
Michele Egidi
An absolute wonder, pleasant to travel by car or for various, simple, trails, a magical place where it is sometimes easy to imagine beyond the geological phenomenon and see an imaginary landscape. Unmissable!
CA
Casey Crocker
Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert us a must see for families and landscape lovers. This forest was a forest when T-Rex roamed the world and this quartz-turned forest is an amazing geological and historical place in the North American Arizona west. The drive takes you through time with self- interpretive turn outs and signage. The coloration of the rock is gorgeous and an easy and memory making location along highway 40 between Flagstaff and Tucumcari.
MI
Michael Roman
Stopped by the visitor center first, watched the intro video and used the restroom, the only ones for quite a few miles. Stopped at numerous lookouts, which were quite cool. Puerco Pueblo was also a great stop with some cool dwelling foundations and a solstice stone configuration. Crystal Forest was the stop that really has the petrified forest feel. It is a short loop worth taking, but it was so windy and about to storm so we cut it short.
KI
Kirill Kuzmin
An amazing place, petrified trees as natural, can not be distinguished. 2 parks for the price of one, in the Painted Desert is better to come a sunny day or at sunset, the variety of colors of the rock.
TO
Tom Nystrom
Try to avoid the middle of the day, early or late brings out the colors of the landscape. Get out of the car and walk some of the trails, most are not long, and it really brings the place alive. . . and read the book about the people who had odd/bad things happen after they stole some petrified wood . . hilarious! If you just drive through, quickly, on a long driving day, your experience will be more like 2 stars .
NI
niketa hira
Two hours east of Flagstaff is this hidden treasure trove of petrified logs of wood and painted mountains and crystal deserts. So vast that a train track and a freeway (40) run right through this national park. Plan to spend at least 5 hours in the park if you want to drive slow and stop and enjoy all the points of interest. Possibly throw in a 1 mile hike in the mix if you are so inclined, but it is not required.
GE
gerar tv
Get there between September and May to avoid heat, CARRIAGE RIDE INSIDE THE PARK, THERE IS A PLACE FOR PURCHASES OF MEMORIES, AND WHERE TO PARK VIEWPOINTS TO TAKE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS.
LI
Lisa Pedzik
Amazing!! Plan for an all day trip if you plan to stop and get out at every stop. Many stops through the park. Many paths to walk and touch the petrified wood. The blue teepee were incredible and painted dessert. Dogs on leash is allowed. From start to finish with no stops will take an hour. Gift shops a bit pricey park admission only 20 for the car. We had a wonderful family vacation visiting this park.
AD
adam dustan
not sure what I expected, but this place was really cool. you drive through the park, it takes about 45 minutes. there are multiple stops and Lookout points along the way, along with a couple short paved hikes. this obviously adds to the time you spend here. stop at some or all of the way points - whatever fits your schedule and interests. you also drive though and looks at parts of the Painted Desert.
NI
Nico 63
Beautiful parkland of colored reliefs and petrified trunks. Impressive number of petrified trunks. tarred roads allow to walk among these fossils. On Route 66.
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Sonia Miranda
Very interesting to see that petrified rocks and see vestiges of an ancient civilization. See how it changes the color of the rock .and see it was the old Route 66.
NA
Nathaniel Murray
This was a very fun place and very beautiful. If you like outdoors and love landscapes then this is a place you need to go to. The help there was very kind and helpful, however one of the workers was a little strange, but still did his job and we got what we needed. Also the best part is watching the sunset on the Painted Desert and watching as the hills change color.
SO
Sophie Ruta
Pretty color but it is most beautiful parks to visit. As it is included in the annual pass, for if the park is on the road. Recommended for fans of Geology
DA
Dan Betz
I was really let down by Petrified Forest. I thought there was going to be more standing petrified trees and a forest, but it turned out there was mostly desert and some chunks of petrified wood strewn about trails in the blazing hot desert. We drove through the whole park and stopped at a lot of the areas where you could walk around, but it was mostly a let down.
DA
David McHenry
Way way under rated National Park. I’ve been to a lot of national parks and this one is near the top of the list so far. Just absolutely breath taking views. Panoramic scenery that goes for as far as you can see. Beautiful landscape all around and petroglyphs can be found scattered through out the park too. Definitely make a stop at the newspaper rock pull off!
CH
Charles Justice
Right off the shoulder of I40, plenty of stops to stretch legs, clean restrooms and only a 35ish mile journey to see some beautiful history. I do not believe children would find this interesting. My wife and I enjoyed the history of Arizona, the trees themselves, the animals that once lived here and the sheer beauty that simply cannot be avoided. Awesome!
DA
Dan Fitzpatrick
This place is one of the coolest and most interesting parks we have been too. Many hours of entertainment for the entire family! Bring a light lunch with you because there is no place to buy food other than the park entrances and the bathrooms are pretty sparse too. And be prepared to spend nearly the whole day because this place is fascinating!
GA
Gary Becker
Beyond the path of freeway typical, we took a beautiful journey through miles of scenic fantastic. Viewing evidence of an ancient and earthy people, via works of art-on-stone. Experienced the vastness of a prehistoric forest where the reality of transformation took place. What once was porous wooden trees are now toppled logs of radiant stone.
JO
Jodine Rodway
An absolute must for anyone exploring this spectacular area. This is a thought provoking area that reminded me that; we and all of the problems and stresses in our lives are terribly insignificant! Very scenic, historical, geographic and yes, breathtaking! Great choice for folks of every ability. Cheers to the very personable staff.
BI
bigbenp
What an amazing place. We traveled the entire length of the park, entering on the Southeast from US HWY 180. My son was amazed at the different views and geological changes across the park. If you are traveling through on I-40 or on a Route 66 adventure, this is a must see! Give yourself at least 4 hours to see the entire park.
MA
mark smith
Perhaps better than the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is spectacular, but the Petrified Forest allows for a more intimate experience for less money. Several fantastic points if interest from one end to the other. Great visitor centers. No one I met was even slightly disappointed. Everyone was in awe! Highly recommended for all ages.
B
B
They close the visitor centers way too early. And if you are in the park at sunset, they will chase you out. Lots of petrified wood to be seen strewn all about. Pretty area in the Painted Desert. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and water and food. There are no provisions in the park away from the visitor centers
KA
Katie D
Great bucket list location! Beautiful location and priceless petrified forest. A great place to discover more than just the petrified forest with painted rocks ancient ruins an the painted hills! Buy the annual pass and visit often or other great national parks without having to pay everytime, as this is $20 for entry!
JU
Julie Polak
Much of the petrified wood has been stolen. You can see it for sale all around the outside of the National Forest. If it was illegal to sell, those who were eager to steal it would think twice, and those who have may surrender it to the Park. The museum was fascinating. An awesome history lesson, and worth the drive.