Places

Petrified Forest National Park has many places significant to American history and culture. Some are buildings, such as Painted Desert Inn and Agate House, and some are landscapes, such as the Painted Desert and the Rainbow Forest.

Did you know....

• Within Petrified Forest National Park, nine sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including places such as Puerco Pueblo and archeological districts such as the Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs.
• Painted Desert Inn is a National Historic Landmark, one of only 3 percent of the sites on the National Register.
• Petrified Forest is the only national park to protect a section of Historic Route 66.
• The Civilian Conservation Corps made significant improvements to park infrastructure, much of which is still in use today.
• Evidence shows human travel and occupation through what is now a national park for over 13,000 years.

Visitors to Petrified Forest National Park have a variety of archeological and historic sites to explore. Many of these are on the National Register of Historic Places:

Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District (added 2005)
Painted Desert Inn (added 1975)
Petrified Forest Bridge (added 1998) Also known as Rio Puerco Bridge
Puerco Ruin and Petroglyphs (added 1976) Also known as LA520;NA6302
Thirty-Fifth Parallel Route (added 1977) Also known as Beale Camel Trail
Twin Buttes Archeological District (added 1976) Also known as NA5065
Flattop Site (added 1976) Also known as NA 4725
Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs Archeological District (added 1976)
Agate House Pueblo (added 1975)
Painted Desert Inn (added 1987) as a national historic landmark
Painted Desert Petroglyphs and Ruins Archeological District (added 1976)

 

Beale Wagon Road sign

NPS Photo