Upcoming Programs and Event
Saturday March 16
1:30pm
Guided Backcountry Hike: Onyx Bridge
Meet at Painted Desert Inn
Enjoy a walk to Onyx Bridge, a dramatic example of petrified wood eroding out of the Black Forest Bed of the Chinle Formation. Hike is about 4 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 400 feet. Rated moderate. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s backcountry and bring adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Sunday March 17
9:30 am
Guided Backcountry Hike: Red Basin/Clam Beds
Meet at pullout along Blue Mesa Loop Road. Once you turn off the main park road for Blue Mesa, drive 1.7 miles to the pullout
Take a long hike to and through colorful geologic features, including some in recently acquired lands. Approximately 8 to 8 ½ miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 600 feet. Rated strenuous due to length. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s backcountry with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Thursday March 21
10:30am and 2:30pm
Wildflower Walk
Meet at Jasper Forest parking lot near overlook
Join a ranger for a treasure hunt - looking for early wildflowers of Petrified Forest National Park! This is an easy off-trail stroll and all are welcome. Wear good footwear, protection from the sun & weather, and bring water. Allow 45 minutes.
Saturday March 23
9:30am
Guided Backcountry Hike: Historic Blue Forest Trail
Park at the roadside pullout at the Teepees area near mile marker 14 on the northbound (east) side of the main park road
The Blue Forest Trail was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), with the trail re-established in 2013 for adventurous hikers like yourselves! Hike is about 3 miles round trip, is steep, and trekking poles are encouraged. AEG about 350 feet. Rated moderate. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Saturday March 23
1:30pm
Guided Backcountry Hike: Jasper Forest
Meet at Jasper Forest overlook parking lot
Enjoy an easy hike along a vintage 1930s era roadbed among beautiful petrified logs. Hike is about 3 miles round trip. AEG about 150 feet. Rated easy. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s off-trail backcountry with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Sunday March 24
10am
Guided Backcountry Hike: Agate Mesa Ramble
Meet at Agate Bridge Parking Lot
Multi-hour tour around a prominent landmark in the center of the park which features colorful geological formations and a wide variety of petrified wood. About 6 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG approximately 500 feet. Difficulty rating is moderate. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Sunday March 24
10:30am and 2:30pm
Wildflower Walk
Meet at Jasper Forest parking lot near overlook
Join a ranger for a treasure hunt - looking for early wildflowers of Petrified Forest National Park! This is an easy off-trail stroll and all are welcome. Wear good footwear, protection from the sun & weather, and bring water. Allow 45 minutes.
Thursday March 28
10:30am and 2:30pm
Wildflower Walk
Meet at Jasper Forest parking lot near overlook
Join a ranger for a treasure hunt - looking for early wildflowers of Petrified Forest National Park! This is an easy off-trail stroll and all are welcome. Wear good footwear, protection from the sun & weather, and bring water. Allow 45 minutes.
Saturday March 30
Relics of Route 66 Guided Tour
9am – 3pm
This program is offered by Petrified Forest Field Institute and an additional fee is required; see http://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ for additional information.
Established in 1926, U.S. Route 66 was a symbol of opportunity, exploration and adventure. From Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 was the primary route of westward migration for decades. Route 66 stretched nearly 2,500 miles and, at the time, only went through one national park – Petrified Forest!
Transportation for the tour will be provided, with travel within and in the immediate vicinity of Petrified Forest to include visiting portions of Route 66 not easily accessible to the general public.
Saturday March 30
9:30am
Guided Backcountry Hike: Flattops Circumnavigation
Meet at unpaved pullout on south side of road between mileposts 23 and 24
This hike traverses a variety of terrains, past archaeological sites and colorful geologic formations. Approximately 4 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 325 feet. Rated strenuous due to two steep gravelly descents. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s backcountry with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Saturday March 30
1:30pm
Guided Backcountry Hike: Historic Rainbow Forest Road
Meet at Rainbow Forest picnic area
Easy walk through Rainbow Canyon, once a major visitation feature in the 1800s. Included will be passage along the historic, petrified wood paved road that early visitors traveled. Nearly 4.75 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 225 feet. Rated easy. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s backcountry with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance sign-up required. Call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Sunday March 31
10 am
Guided Backcountry Hike: Petroglyph Mesa
Meet at Route 66 pullout between mileposts 5 and 6 in the northern part of the park.
Hike to a remote, major rock art site in the park’s northern wilderness. About 7 1/4 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG approximately 550 feet. Rated moderate. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared for a multi-hour hike in the park’s backcountry with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants and advance signup required; call 515-724-4493 for further information and registration.
Sunday March 31
10:30am and 2:30pm
Wildflower Walk
Meet at Jasper Forest parking lot near overlook
Join a ranger for a treasure hunt - looking for early wildflowers of Petrified Forest National Park! This is an easy off-trail stroll and all are welcome. Wear good footwear, protection from the sun & weather, and bring water. Allow 45 minutes.
