Petrified Forest National Park Is A Fascinating Spot In Arizona That’s Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
It’s isn’t difficult to find long-standing natural wonders in Arizona, but few compare to the ancient splendor of Petrified Forest National Park. This story of this incredible place dates back over 200 million years! With layered rock formations and archaic, multi-colored logs, it’s truly something out of a fairytale.
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Nestled just outside of Holbrook in northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park spans over 200 acres of rugged badlads. It extends into the Painted Desert, a region characterized by rock formations layered with striking colors.
Humans began inhabiting the park as early as 13,000 years ago, leaving behind petroglyphs that provide detailed information about their lives. You can also explore an incredibly well-preserved, 100-room pueblo that dates back almost 800 years, in addition to an array of ancient artifacts.
Pictured here is petrified wood – the park's namesake. Over 200 million years ago, this mostly barren landscape featured lush greenery that was later destroyed by lava from volcanic eruptions.
Any surviving vegetation was fossilized and buried under ashen ground, not to be revealed for eons. Made of quartz, the petrified wood is a natural wonder that attracts thousands of visitors to the park each year.
There are several different ways to experience the park, but hiking is by far the most popular. Ranging in length from a half mile to three miles, the trails offer sweeping panoramic views of the Painted Desert. Overnight backpacking excursions are also an option.
You can visit Petrified Forest National Park year-round, and it's open every day except Christmas. Hours vary seasonally, so visit the website for specifics. The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle (for a seven-day pass) or $15 for individuals and motorcycles.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
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