Increase in Visitation at Petrified Forest National Park for January 2009

Date: February 26, 2009
Contact: Hallie Larsen, 928-524-6228 x274
Contact: Rita Garcia, 928-524-6228 x273

Petrified Forest— Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer announced that visitation increased by 37% in January from last year with 23,457 visits compared to last year’s 17,138. “The increase is a welcome surprise that may be due to more local travel, given the current economic climate”, said Spencer. “I invite all in the region to consider taking a short trip to the some of the spectacular natural wonders in Northern Arizona. Places such as Meteor Crater, Homolovi Ruins and Petrified Forest provide an inexpensive and rewarding form of entertainment and exploration for the family.”

The park continues on winter visitation hours of operation. The park hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Park hours will be extended on March 1^st, 2009. The park will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

For more information call [phone] weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time; or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent at e-mail us. Our website has more news and press releases: www.nps.gov/pefo/parknews/newsreleases.htm.