Visitors can drive the 28 miles of the Main Park road, stopping at any number of overlooks to see petrified wood, petroglyphs, archeological sites, and Painted Desert vistas. Those with more time can explore the secrets of the backcountry. Permits are available for those visitors who wish to camp overnight.
Petrified Forest is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science. The park is located in northeast Arizona and features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. Also included in the park's 93,533 acres are the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation known as the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils.
Records / History:
Petrified forest was set aside as a national monument in 1906 to preserve and protect the petrified wood which scatters the area. As it turn out, the park also protects the diverse Triassic ecosystem and significant archaeological sites representing several cultures over 10,000 years of occupation.
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