Painted Desert and Petrified Forest in Arizona were created as two separate National Monuments in 1906, then received National Park Status in 1962. Although Petrified Forest receives the most visitor and media attention, it is actually part of the 7,500-acre Painted Desert.
Petrified trees are the main attraction in Petrified Forest NP, but the Rainbow Forest Museum also contains a nice collection of fossils and other paleontological exhibits.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The Giant Logs Trail starts near the visitor center and is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Park. A short distance away are Crystal Forest and Jasper Forest that are also popular areas to visit.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Agate Bridge is a 110-foot long petrified log that spans a dry wash. To keep the tree from falling into the wash and breaking apart, a support beam has been placed under the log for stabilization purposes.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The Tepees are located in the northern part of the Park and exhibit the various different colored soils found in Painted Desert.
Tawa Point is a developed overlook near the Park's north entrance and a popular spot to stop and take pictures. A telephoto lens is needed to get better detailed pictures.
Painted Desert Inn was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1937-1940. After WW II, the Inn was operated by the Fred Harvey Company until it closed in 1963. The structure is now the north park entrance visitor center and contains a nostalgic ice cream parlor that is open during the summer months.
Historic Route 66 ran through the north part of the Park and the alignment is now marked with a concrete marker and a 1932 Studebaker four-door sedan that has been stripped of most parts.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Driving west on Interstate 40 are numerous tourist attractions that try to attract your attention (and your money) by having unique displays at the Interstate exits. We only had time to stop at a few of the attractions.
Stewart's Petrified Wood is located on a hill and had human eating dinosaurs and large birds overlooking the Interstate.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
A large T-Rex was chasing Indians around their tepees at the exit for Painted Desert Indian Center.
Hanging outside of the Medicine Man's tepee was an Indian Weather Rock and instructions on how to use it.
(1) If the Rock is wet, it's raining. (2) If the Rock is white, its snowing. (3) If the Rock is moving back and forth, it's windy. (4) If the Rock is hard to see, it's foggy. (5) If the Rock is casting a shadow, it's sunny. (6) If the Rock is hot, it's hot outside. (7) If the Rock is cold, it's cold outside. Guaranteed, the Indian Weather Rock is never wrong.
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