Heather Sakurai Guided Activities Special programs will be offered throughout the year! Check the searchable Calendar, as well as our social media pages (scroll down on any page to the links on the lower right). Ranger Guided Programs are available seasonally and as staffing allows, but our staff is always roving the park. Keep an eye out for roving rangers in popular areas like Puerco Pueblo, Crystal Forest, and Giant Logs for on-the-spot information.
Ongoing Program Schedule All are welcome and all programs are included with normal park admission unless otherwise indicated. Need further information? Contact (928) 524-6228 x245 Every Wednesday 9am–3pm Paleontology Lab Demonstrations Meet at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Join a fossil preparator as they work on fossil specimens discovered in the park. Daily on request 9am–4pm Painted Desert Inn Tours Meet at the Painted Desert Inn Explore the historic inn and discover the stories from homesteading to Route 66.
December Guided Backcountry Hikes Cancelled due to weather and road conditions Guided Backcountry Hike: Bear Spring Meet at Painted Desert Inn 10:00 am A scenic trek to a historic site on the eastern rim of the Painted Desert. Spectacular views predominate along this route over varied terrain. Approximately 7 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 675 feet. Rated strenuous due to the length and rolling landscape. 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Saturday December 7 Guided Backcountry Hike: Bidahochi Meet at Chinde Point picnic area 10:00 am A short, steep descent from the Bidahochi Formation to 3 oases on the Lithodendron flood plain. Visit geologic features and some of the largest petrified logs in the park. Approximately 4 ½ to 5 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 600 feet. Rated challenging due to steep and rocky descent and ascent. 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Sunday December 8 Guided Backcountry Hike: Titanic Meet at The Teepees near mile marker 14. Park at paved pullout on west side of highway. 10:00 am Hike in some of the oldest exposed terrain in the park through other worldly landscapes. Approximately 5 ½ miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 425 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Saturday December 14 Guided Backcountry Hike: Onyx Bridge Meet at Painted Desert Inn 10:00 am Enjoy a walk to Onyx Bridge, a dramatic example of petrified wood eroding out of the Black Forest Bed of the Chinle Formation. About 4.5 to 5 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG approximately 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Sunday December 15 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 9:30 am 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Saturday December 21 Guided Backcountry Hike: Dead Wash Overlook Park at small paved lot just north of mile marker 7 on east side of road 10:00 am Hike through grasslands past Black Forest petrified wood out to an overlook of the remote Dead Wash drainage. Approximately 5 ½ to 6 miles round trip. AEG about 475. Rated strenuous due to multiple ascents and descents. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Sunday December 22 Guided Backcountry Hike: Historic Blue Forest Park at the roadside pullout at the Teepees area near mile marker 14 on the northbound (east) side of the road 9:30 am The Blue Forest Trail was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), with the trail rehabilitated in 2013 for adventurous hikers like yourselves! This hike traverses the trail and beyond through rugged, beautiful badlands. The route includes steep ascents and descents and is about 4 miles round trip. AEG about 425 feet. Rating is challenging. Trekking poles are encouraged. No pets please on this hike. Be prepared with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Sunday December 22 Guided Backcountry Hike: Jasper Forest Meet at Jasper Forest overlook parking lot 1:30 pm Enjoy an easy hike along a vintage 1930s era roadbed among beautiful petrified logs. Hike is about 3 to 3 ½ miles round trip. AEG 250 feet. Rating is 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Saturday December 28 Guided Backcountry Hike: Painted Desert Saunter Meet at Tiponi overlook. 10:00 am A venture into the Painted Desert featuring colorful badlands and scenic views. Approximately 5 to 5 ½ miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG approximately 400 feet. Rated moderate. 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. Sunday December 29 Guided Backcountry Hike: Bear Spring Meet at Painted Desert Inn 10:00 am A scenic trek to a historic site on the eastern rim of the Painted Desert. Spectacular views predominate along this route over varied terrain. Approximately 7 miles round trip in off-trail conditions. AEG about 675 feet. Rated strenuous due to the length and rolling landscape. 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. Call 928-368-3821 for further information and to register. 
NPS Daily Fun Find Your Park 
NPS Field Institute Petrified Forest Field Institute is proud to offer guided tours and field classes exploring fun and compelling subjects lead by world class guides and experts. See www.petrifiedforestinstitute.org for more. Or click here to go directly to their class schedule. 
NPS Artist-in-Residence Program In the Artist-in-Residence Program selected artists spend time living and working in the park, sharing their experiences with visitors. |
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Last updated: December 5, 2019