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Contact: Hallie Larsen, 928-524-6228 x274
Petrified Forest, AZ—What are you doing this summer? Come to Petrified Forest National Park for a variety of activities, from self-guided tours to adventures with rangers. This July, programs will include: Daily Programs 12:00 pm Painted Desert Inn Tour: Explore this intriguing National Historic Landmark with a ranger and discover its fascinating past. 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm Triassic Program: How did these once living trees turn to stone? Meet in the Rainbow Forest Museum sunroom. Find out on this ranger talk or easy guided walk along the Giant Logs Trail. There are some stairs along the trail. 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm Puerco Pueblo Program: Find out about the ancestral Puebloan people who once lived in this 100-room pueblo. Meet at the Puerco Pueblo Trail at the south end of the parking lot for an easy ranger-guided 1/3 mile walk. Weekly Programs Thursdays, 9 am, Keystone Arch Walk—Join a ranger for an off-trail walk to a natural arch formed by a petrified log. This is a very short, easy walk over uneven ground. Meet at the pullout just past the first wayside exhibit along the Blue Mesa loop road at 9 am. This hike is not accessible. Children are welcome. Be sure to bring plenty of water, bring snacks, appropriate shoes, and use sun protection. Special Activities Backcountry Adventures! These off-trail hikes are not accessible. Most hikes are best for children over 12. Be sure to bring plenty of water, bring snacks, appropriate shoes, and use sun protection. Space is limited: first-come, first-served. Saturday, July 2: Off the Beaten Path: Lacey Point Hike—Enjoy the wild Painted Desert and discover petroglyphs! Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 8 am before heading into the park. Saturday, July 9: Off the Beaten Path: Petroglyph Canyon Hike—Discover petroglyphs in the backcountry! Bring field glasses. Meet at the Rainbow Forest Museum at 8 am before heading into the park. Friday, July 15: Off the Beaten Path: Clam Beds/Old 180 Geology—Join a ranger for an exploration of Late Triassic geology—look for clues to an ancient river system. Meet at the Rainbow Forest Museum at 8:30 am before heading to the start of this off-trail hike. Great for kids 7 and up. Saturday, July 16: Off the Beaten Path: Onyx Bridge and Wilderness Petroglyphs—Take a walk into the wilderness to view a long petrified log and discover petroglyphs on the way. Meet at Painted Desert National Historic Landmark at 8 am. Saturday, July 23: Off the Beaten Path: Puerco Petroglyphs—Discover the petroglyphs that can’t be seen from the regular trail. Meet at the Puerco Pueblo park lot at 8 am. Saturday, July 30: Off the Beaten Path: Lacey Point Hike—Enjoy the wild Painted Desert and discover petroglyphs! Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center at 8 am before heading into the park. After Hours Activity Friday,
July 29, 7 pm Story in the Stars—Meet at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic
Landmark at 7 pm, watch the sunset over the Painted Desert at 7:25 pm,
program starts afterward with naked-eye stargazing from 8-9 pm. As this is an
after-hours program, you will need to stay with the ranger or immediately leave
the park. You are welcome to bring a telescope, binoculars or other items, but you are responsible for your personal
equipment. For information call (928) 524-6228, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST); or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015