Petrified Forest National Park
Exit 311
Interstate 40
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028
It is quite easy to get to this amazing national park in Arizona for Highway 40 to the east of Flagstaff or from the north of Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale.
This particular petrified forest is best known for its Triassic fossils and a spectacular array of very colorful petrified wood.
There are several easy to navigate trails that run through the park which allow you to get close up to many specimens of the petrified wood.
This giant log of solid rock is a great place to stop and take in the vastness of the park and multitude of petrified wood that lies scattered all around you.
The park even placed a large piece in a location along the one of the trails where you can enjoy sitting on a fossil chair that is about 225 million years old.
These petrified trees are about 225 million years old, dating back to the Late Triassic Period when vast conifer forests covered the area. As these trees died and fell, minerals like silica replaced the wood fibers over eons to create vibrant, colorful crystalline fossils.
As avid birders we did not see very many birds, mostly ravens and a Horned Lark sitting atop a large piece of petrified wood.
As a reminder, do not "borrow" any pieces of petrified wood or any other resource from this, or any other National Park. It is illegal to take any objects plus it deprives future visitors from enjoying the park.
Outside the park are a few shops that sell petrified wood, rocks and minerals, and Native American crafts.
We hope that you enjoyed this post about a wonderful place that you will certainly love to add as a drop in your bucket. If you in this area, consider a stop at this unique place.
All photographs are the copyright of Jim Jackson Photography and Nida Jackson Photography.
Please contact me with any questions, comments, or for authorization to use photos or for signed, high-resolution prints.
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