Petrified Forest National Park

Drive or bus to the Petrified Forest National Park from the nearest major airports in Phoenix, AZ (260 mi), or Albuquerque, NM (22 mi).

The unique ecosystem is populated by abundant wildlife—both living and fossilized, with new species discovered each year.

Most petrified wood is nearly solid quartz—as much as 168 lbs. per cubic foot, and can only be cut with a diamond-bit saw.

• Take a 1-mile hike along any of the colorful trails and loops—Painted Desert Rim, Blue Mesa, Crystal Forest, Giant Logs, and Agate House—to marvel at concentrations of petrified wood, ancient petroglyphs, and a 1,000-year-old pueblo made from adobe and petrified wood.
• At the north end of the park, take an hour to stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center for a fascinating 17-minute film on how wood is petrified and a wide selection of books, relics, and souvenirs.
• At the south end, visit the Rainbow Forest Museum and bookstore to see exhibits of petrified wood and of the area's geological and human history, fossil exhibits, an interactive Triassic Virtual Tour, movies, and more.

Walk the 6-mile Long Logs Trail. This paved loop leads through the largest concentration of petrified wood in Petrified Forest National Park. Here the petrified remains of extinct conifers lie criss-crossed atop each other. At the north end of the loop are some of the park's longest intact logs, one of which measures 116 feet.

The rainy season, from mid-July through early September, is a dramatic time to visit Petrified Forest National Park, but beware of lightening storms.