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The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona  

A place of wonder and amazement, the Petrified Forest National Park reveals timeless fossils, beautiful scenery and an extensive natural exhibit of colorful petrified wood. Tourists travel from around the world to see its amazing display of nature that has been frozen in time.

The park is located in the northeastern part of Arizona, approximately 3.5 hours from Phoenix, and covers over 93,000 acres. The boundaries of the park were recently extended, increasing overall acreage to over 218,000.

Park Entry and Attractions

The park is open year round except on Christmas Day. Entrance fees are minimal for bicyclists, hikers and those driving through the park. Senior citizens who are U.S. citizens receive a generous discount, and those who are disabled can enter the park at no charge. The park also waives activity fees for educational groups.

Park visitors can travel by foot, vehicle, bicycle or even horse to tour the vast collection of petrified wood. Logs as large as 200 feet long and 10 feet in diameter have been found in the park! The petrified wood offers brilliant colors that are a true desert treasure.

Visitors can also see the gorgeous Painted Desert and the Painted Desert Inn, a National Historic Landmark that's located within the park. The park offers nature walks, backpacking, horseback riding, bike trails, a museum, a gift shop, and a variety of educational ranger programs. The Junior Ranger program is geared toward helping kids learn about the fossils and resources at the park.

Brief Park History

The discovery of petrified wood in the park area dates back to 1851, found by Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves. Then in 1853, Lieutenant Amiel Whipple documented the petrified wood that's now included in the park. In December 1906, the area was declared as a "Petrified Forest National Monument" by President Theodore Roosevelt.

From that time forward, construction began in and around the area, adding a museum, the Painted Desert Inn, bridges, roads, trails, etc. In December 1962, an act of Congress established the Petrified Forest National Park, doing away with the monument status. Although a president can establish a national monument, only Congress can declare a place to be a national park.

Facts about Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is wood that has been turned to stone, or quartz crystal which is brittle and shatters. Petrified wood is harder than steel even though it is fragile. The petrification process begins when wood is covered with water and mud that contains volcanic ash. A chemical reaction occurs that encases the wood in quartz crystals and eventually turns it to stone, a process that can take over a million years to complete.

The beautiful color schemes of petrified wood reveal the chemistry of the petrifying groundwater. Manganese, copper and iron in the water or mud during the petrification process give the wood a combination of different color ranges.

Other Interesting Facts about the Park

Many fossils have been found in the park, from horseshoe crabs to ancient reptiles from the Late Triassic period. Paleontologists frequently explore the park's treasure of fossils to learn more about this period.

The Petrified Forest National Park is not only scenic, but also educational. It's a great place to bring kids and let them explore the history and nature of the desert.

Written by Candice Pardue 

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