Petrified Forest National Park U.S

National Park Service Petrified Forest National Park U.S. Department of the Interior Trip Planner

More Spectacular Than Ever!

t h e r e i s a renaissance u n d e rway at p et r i f i e d vast majority of petrified wood is right where it was Forest National Park. The park itself has doubled when the pictures were first taken. in size. New hiking trails, building renovations, and updated exhibits are examples of improvements Wood theft does occasionally occur. We do catch found throughout the park. Not to mention, our and fine people who attempt to remove petrified original attraction and namesake is still here in wood, and we will always continue our vigilance. But We invite you to Find Your Park in Petrified Forest! abundance: petrified wood! the underlying message of the old “massive theft” narrative—that today’s visitors experience something Hello and Welcome To counter the incorrect belief that massive amounts less than their grandparents saw—is simply not true. of petrified wood were stolen from Petrified Forest These images show that Petrified Forest is more Of all the wonderful attractions in Northern Arizona, over time, we are continuing a re-photography spectacular than ever! thank you for visiting Petrified Forest National Park. effort to capture images of Petrified Forest’s most This piece of America’s heritage was set aside in important and iconic areas. This project involves We also know—and celebrate—that the 1906 to protect it and to make it available for public taking historic photographs in our collection (more overwhelming majority of our park visitors continue enjoyment, as one of the largest petrified wood than 200 so far) and reshooting those images from to respect the rules and leave petrified wood for the the same vantage points today. The results show the appreciation of all. Thank you for doing the right deposits in the world. But there are compelling human thing! Enjoy Petrified Forest National Park. stories here, too. Several Native American tribal nations have ancestral ties to this place. In recent times, Route 66 passed through the park. Many of the structures in use today, to support your visit and management 1899 activities, are now on the National Register of Historic Places; including the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.

Whatever your interest, please ask a ranger for more Left: Local rancher Adam information or check out our website at www.nps.gov/ Hanna reclines on pefo. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. We petrified wood; Today Right: a match in want to make your visit informative and enjoyable. If Jasper Forest over we spark your continuing interest in the stories the 100 years later. park has to tell, we’re glad to help you find more information. The most popular way to experience the park is to drive the 28 mile long park road from one What Should I See and Do? end to the other. There are many pullouts and several short trails to get you closer to the story. IF YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO HOURS: Decide which end of the park interests you and spend time there, saving the rest for another visit. Please join the millions of visitors who have enjoyed • South End: Visit the Rainbow Forest Museum and watch the park film; walk Giant Logs and Crystal Forest the petrified wood and left it undisturbed for others Trails; drive the Blue Mesa Road to enjoy too. If you see illegal activity, please let our • North End: Watch the park film at Painted Desert Visitor Center; select several overlooks to take in views of the Painted Desert; walk the Tawa Point Trail and visit the Painted Desert Inn. law enforcement staff know. Petrified wood collected legally from locations outside the park is available for IF YOU HAVE HALF A DAY, DO THE ABOVE AND ADD: sale in park gift shops. • Drive through the entire park (28 mi/45km main road). • Walk the Painted Desert Rim Trail to Kachina Point. We hope you enjoy your connection with Petrified • Enjoy the views and wayside exhibits at Route 66, Newspaper Rock, Agate Bridge, and Jasper Forest. Forest National Park. We invite you to walk the trails • Walk the Giant Logs Trail (pick up a trail guide at Rainbow Forest Museum). amidst ancient petrified logs, take in the wide vistas of • Visit Puerco Pueblo. the Painted Desert, discover voices of the past in the • Attend a ranger program (available seasonally). petroglyphs, and listen to the silence of the wilderness. • Explore Blue Mesa and walk the trail. Any time spent at Petrified Forest National Enjoy your park, and thanks for your support! Park is time well spent. The highest IF YOU HAVE A FULL DAY OR MORE, DO THE ABOVE AND ADD: concentrations of petrified wood are found • Hike to Long Logs and Agate House. in the southern end of the park, while the • Choose an Off the Beaten Path hike (see page 2). northern end showcases the human story and • Spend the night in the park’s Wilderness Area. Painted Desert views. • Celebrate—you have the luxury of time to enjoy! 2 Park Map

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

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I MESA Petrified Forest National Park h s Pilot Rock a N W 6234ft 1900m n Mailing Address ro d T n Petrified Forest National Park e d P.O. Box 2217 Painted Desert Visitor Center o h E it Petrified Forest, AZ 86028 L h Stop for historic architecture, park film, as D W er igg Park Headquarters information, bookstore, gift shop, food, and gas. D 928-524-6228 Painted Desert Visitor Center D to Gallup 70mi E-mail E 113km BLACK [email protected] S 66 te WILDERNESS FOREST Onyx Bridge ou E ic r tor Website AREA R His www.nps.gov/pefo T Kachina Point 40 Hózhó Painted Desert Inn The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the National Historic Landmark American people so that all may experience our heritage. W i ld r h Pintado Point ve o Tawa Point i r R s Private land e o Tawa c r No public access W Tiponi Point e a u Painted Desert Overlooks s Nizhoni Point P h Trail Entrance Whipple Point Station DevelopedDeveloped TrailsTrails Enjoy spectacular views of the Painted Desert from Lacey Point Painted Desert Visitor Center Tawa Trail: 2 mi (3.2 km) round trip many overlooks in this area. Exit 311 Park Headquarters A walk between Painted Desert Visitor Center Entrance DEVIL’S Route 66 5770ft Station and Tawa Point. Showcases grasslands and views. No access PLAYGROUND to Interstate 1759m Access to these lands by guided tour only Painted Desert Rim: 1 mi (1.6 km) round trip A walk between Tawa Point and Painted Desert Inn provides excellent views of the Painted Desert below. Painted Desert Visitor Center to Rainbow Forest Museum Puerco Pueblo: 0.3 mi (0.5 km) loop 26mi 42km 40 Walk among a partial excavation of a 100+ room village, h s Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway a P occupied 1250–1380 CE. W

6 e 6 ut d Painted Desert Visitor Center ro a e Blue Mesa: 1 mi (1.6 km) loop ric to Holbrook o D st A Puerco Pueblo 26mi Hi Steep path enters into vibrant blue, purple, and gray 42km ash er badlands dotted with colorful petrified wood. W Riv View ancestral puebloan homes and petroglyphs on PETRIFIED I dr co n er along a 0.3 mi (0.5 km) loop trail. e Pu Crystal Forest: 0.75 mi (1.2 km) loop d N o i h N ne t m i ile Wash Explore a beautiful scatter of colorful petrified logs. L Adamana Puerco Pueblo FOREST Giant Logs: 0.4 mi (0.6 km) loop T See some of the largest and most colorful logs in the 40 Newspaper park. “Old Faithful” is the showcase log, at almost E Rock ten feet around at the base. NATIONAL PARK D Trail guide available at trailhead The Tepees BLUE B Dry il W li ash FOREST ng’ Long Logs: 1.6 mi (2.5 km) loop* s Blue G a Site of a Triassic log jam, this area is covered in especially p Mesa er D long petrified tree trunks. iv R TWIN

o BUTTES Blue Mesa rc Agate House: 2 mi (3.2 km) round trip* e E u Walk to a seven-room reconstructedExit pueblo. P 286 Walk the 1 mi (1.6 km) trail and/or drive the 3.5 mi Black Knoll Exit S 285 (5.6 km) loop road to explore colorful geology. *Long Logs and Agate House Trails can be Holbrook E combined, as theyHolbrook start to from the same trailhead, South Rim, for a total of 2.6Grand mi Canyon(4.2 km) round trip. Private land R National Park within authorized 177mi Agate Bridge park boundary 285km Jasper Forest 180 T

Off the Beaten Path Hikes E G D I With 50,000 acres of wilderness available, hiking off R Crystal Forest trail and “off the beaten path” is a great option for Martha’s Butte those interested. Some destinations can be found Jasper Forest O Information Gift shop off an old road or trail no longer maintained; others C R Restrooms Wheelchair Accessible Enjoy a panoramic view of an area with a high 5476ft E may require route finding skills. For more information T Food service Water 1669m H E concentration of petrified wood. U

(including routes and maps), ask at Painted Desert Picnic area Passport stamps Mile marker 24 P

(wilderness F L Gas station Tight Turnaround Visitor Center, Rainbow Forest Museum, or visit Rainbow Forest Museum T access) A ES T Rainbow Forest Museum R T - Not suitable for RVs or Trailers FO O to Holbrook P Self-guiding trail www.nps.gov/pefo/off-the-beaten-path. S 21mi Giant Logs 34km

WILDERNESS North Top Off-the-Beaten-Path Hikes: W 0 1 5 Kilometers O Long Logs B ash IN W AREA A 0 1 5 Miles Old Blue Forest R Agate House Entrance p 2.4 mi (3.9 km) round trip along an unmaintained CCC trail Station m a C h as Authorized park Hiking trail W Jasper Forest m boundary i

2.5 mi (4 km) round trip on an old road among petrified wood Private land NO ACCESS– d 180 Overlook/ o Private lands within Parking area Onyx Bridge Rainbow Forest Museum o w authorized park 4 mi (6.4 km) round trip hike to a petrified wood “bridge” n boundary o and Giant Logs Trail t t o Wilderness area Billings Gap C (Permit required for 3 mi (4.8 km) round trip hike atop the Blue Mesa Study paleontological exhibits in the museum and overnight camping; Rainbow Forest Museum no permit required walk a 0.4 mi (0.6 km) loop trail. to St. Johns for day use) 41mi 66km 3

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I MESA h s Pilot Rock a N W 6234ft 1900m n ro d T n e d o h E it L h as D W er Painted Desert Inn igg D Painted Desert Visitor Center D to Gallup A historic inn turned museum offers exhibits about 70mi E 113km the CCC, Fred Harvey Company, and more. BLACK S 66 te WILDERNESS FOREST Onyx Bridge ou E ic r tor AREA R His T Kachina Point 40 Hózhó Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

W i ld r h Pintado Point ve o Tawa Point i r R s Private land e o Tawa c r No public access W Tiponi Point e a u s Nizhoni Point P h Trail Entrance Whipple Point Station Lacey Point

Exit Painted Desert Visitor Center Route 66 Alignment 311 Park Headquarters A 1932 Studebaker sits where famed Route 66 DEVIL’S Route 66 5770ft No access once cut through the park. PLAYGROUND to Interstate 1759m Access to these lands by guided tour only

Painted Desert Visitor Center to Rainbow Forest Museum 26mi 42km 40

h s Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway a P W

6 e 6 ut d Painted Desert Visitor Center ro a e ric to Holbrook to D A 26mi His 42km ash er W Riv on PETRIFIED I dr co n er Newspaper Rock e Pu d N o i h N ne t mi i le Wash Look down from an overlook to see over 650 L Adamana Puerco Pueblo FOREST petroglyphs, some as old as 2000 years. T

40 Newspaper E Rock NATIONAL PARK D The Tepees BLUE B Dry il W li ash FOREST ng’

s Blue G a p Mesa er D iv R TWIN o BUTTES c r To Gallup, NM -> e E u Ganado -> To 191 40 Exit P Sanders 286 Black Knoll 191 S Agate Bridge Exit Keems Canyon -> To Navajo To St. Johns -> Park Road 285 North Chambers 77 Entrance Holbrook Exit 311 E See a 110 ft (34 m) petrified log spanning a gully. Holbrook to South Rim, Grand Canyon PETRIFIED Private land Joseph City 40 R National Park within authorized 177mi Agate Bridge park boundary <- To Flagstaff FOREST 285km Jasper Forest Park Road 180 Exit 285 T Holbrook NATIONAL 180 77 Park Road PARK South E 377 EntranceG D To St. Johns -> I 180 R <- To Payson Crystal Forest Show Low <- To

Martha’s Butte O Information Gift shop C R Restrooms Wheelchair Accessible 5476ft E T Food service Water 1669m H Crystal Forest E U

Picnic area Passport stamps Mile marker 24 P

(wilderness F Many petrified logs glimmer with quartz crystals L Gas station Tight Turnaround Rainbow Forest Museum T access) A ES T Rainbow Forest Museum R T - Not suitable for RVs or Trailers along a paved 0.75 mi (1.2 km) loop trail. FO O to Holbrook P Self-guiding trail S 21mi Giant Logs 34km

WILDERNESS North W 0 1 5 Kilometers O Long Logs B ash IN W AREA A 0 1 5 Miles R Agate House Entrance p Station m a C h as Authorized park Hiking trail W m boundary i

Private land NO ACCESS– d 180 Overlook/ o Private lands within o Parking area w authorized park n boundary o t t o Wilderness area C (Permit required for overnight camping; Rainbow Forest Museum no permit required Long Logs & Agate House to St. Johns for day use) 41mi 66km A 2.6 mi (4.2 km) trail showcases petrified logs and a pueblo reconstructed of petrified wood. 4 Learn More

Programs & Services Digital Apps

Artist in Residence Program offers artists Junior Rangers are special! Kids who complete iNaturalist app Observe, learn, and share the opportunity to immerse in the inspirational activities in the park’s junior ranger activity booklet information about park plant and animal life. landscape of Petrified Forest. (available at park visitor centers) earn a badge. www.nps.gov/pefo/getinvolved/artist-in-residence Chimani app Park maps, trip planning, hiking Ranger Guided Programs are available seasonally trails, sunrise/sunset times, and more. Bark Rangers know the rules of B.A.R.K. and and as staffing allows. Ask at park visitor centers or receive a treat for a job well done! Pets on a leash are check www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/calendar Both apps are free and available on welcome on trails. Certified service animals only in Apple App Store and Google Play. buildings. Inquire at the visitor centers or entrance Restaurants Painted Desert Diner at the north end gates. of the park is open 8am–3pm daily (extended hours seasonally). Gift shop at Rainbow Forest Museum Cultural Demonstrations occur throughout the offers grab and go options. year. Interact with demonstrators, learn about the people and places of the area, and purchase locally- Visitor centers at Painted Desert and Rainbow made crafts. Forest are open at least 8am–5pm daily. www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/cultural- demonstrations Wilderness encompasses over 50,000 acres in the park. There are no developed trails and hiking is Dark Skies are a valued resource here at Petrified cross-country. Be prepared—you are responsible Forest. As a International Dark-Sky Park, the parks for your own safety. Devils Playground is open by Park Hours of Operation nightscape falls on the Bortel scale at 3 (1 being permit only, otherwise no permits are required for the darkest and 9 being the brightest). Astronomy day hiking. A free permit is required for all overnight The park is open every day except December 25. The events and wilderness camping are the best ways to wilderness use and is available at park visitor centers. park is open at least 8 am to 5 pm Mountain Standard experience the celestial wonders above. www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/hiking Time (MST) year round, with extended hours spring www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/nature/darkskies through fall. Check www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/ hours.htm for specific information. Educational programs offer curriculum-based Protect Yourself, Protect the Park Note: Arizona does not observe education including field trips, off-site visits, and Emergency call 911 or park dispatch at 928-524-9726 distance learning. daylight saving time. An www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/education/classrooms Accessibility such as restrooms, visitor centers, exception is the nearby Navajo and picnic areas are accessible (or accessible with Nation, which does observe Petrified Forest Field Institute is proud to offer assistance). The park film is open captioned. Free daylight saving time. guided tours exploring fun and compelling subjects braille book is available at park visitor centers. led by world class guides and field experts. www. Service animals are allowed everywhere in the park. petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org Bicycles are permitted on all paved roads. Several Resource Theft Gas (including diesel) is available at Painted Desert unpaved routes are also approved within the park; Visitor Center. see www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/gettingaround “The idea of preserving in a national grouping such spots of scenic beauty and historic memory Gift shops are found near Painted Desert Visitor Going Green benefits you, the park, and the planet. originated here in this country...In Europe, Asia, Center and Rainbow Forest Museum. Examples include using park recycle containers, Africa, and Latin America, other countries have bringing your own water bottle (and refilling it for followed our pioneering example and set aside free), and enjoying a hike. Please do not idle your their most magnificent scenic areas as national vehicle more then 5 minutes. We Can’t Do It Alone treasures for the enjoyment of present and future generations.” Pets are welcome! Keep in mind, heat kills—do Donations are always appreciated! Donation boxes -Dwight D. Eisenhower not leave pets unattended in your vehicle. Pets are are found at park visitor centers. If a donation is allowed on the trails as long as they are leashed made in someone’s honor, please include contact Resource theft includes but not limited to: and their excrement is picked up and disposed of information so they may receive acknowledgment. petrified wood, fossils, rocks and soil, plants and properly. Only trained service animals (not support animals (living and deceased); cultural resources animals) are allowed in the buildings. Ask about our Visitor Comment Forms are available at park visitor such as pottery sherds, arrowheads, petroglyphs, Bark Ranger Program! centers. Catch us doing things right and provide and remains. Even feathers need to remain where feedback on improving the park experience. Regulations All objects in the park are protected. they lay. If you witness resource theft in the park, Do not collect anything in the park except for please call 928-524-6025 and provide a thorough Volunteers are valued and appreciated here! photographs and memories. Obey all traffic laws, description of the event taking place. Opportunities exist throughout the year to volunteer including speed limits. Drones, and all unmanned in the park in a wide variety of capacities. aircraft, are prohibited within the park. Firearms are www.nps.gov/pefo/getinvolved/volunteer prohibited in all park buildings. www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/management Lodging and Camping Your Dollars at Work that are generated by entrance fees are used to accomplish SAFETY There is no overnight lodging available in the park, projects throughout the park. and camping in the park is limited to backpacking Avoid cliff edges and do not go beyond protective in the Wilderness Area. Nearby communities that PARTNERS fencing. Always be aware of your surroundings. offer lodging and camping options include Holbrook, Friends of Petrified Forest is a non-profit Winslow, Gallup, and St. Johns. Several nearby partner that brings resources and expertise Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Approaching national forest service areas and state parks also offer to natural and cultural park research projects. or feeding any wildlife is dangerous and illegal. www.friendsofpetrifiedforest.org lodging and camping options. Use sunblock, stay hydrated, take your time, Ortega National Parks is the official park Permits Needed for and rest to reduce the risk of sunburn, dehydration, Wilderness Camping concessionaire that operates a restaurant, two and exhaustion. Water is available at park visitor gift shops, a convenience store, and a gas station centers and Painted Desert Inn. Petrified Forest’s Backpacking in the Wilderness Area within the park. www.ortegaparks.com high elevation (about 5,400 feet) and dry climate may of Petrified Forest is a great opportunity for solitude affect you differently than your home environment. and adventure. There are no designated camping sites. Petrified Forest Museum Association operates Obtain a camping permit at Painted Desert Visitor non-profit bookstores at park visitor centers. Your Weather varies greatly and changes suddenly. Center or Rainbow Forest Museum (both facilities open purchases here directly help the park with financial Be prepared to layer clothing for heat, cold, rain, at least 8 am to 5 pm daily) before embarking on your and staff aid. www.petrifiedforestbookstore.com wind, and snow. Beware of winter ice and summer lightning (seek shelter inside a vehicle or building). journey. Permits are free!