Petrified Forest National Park - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Petrified Forest National Park
Country:	United States
State:	Arizona
Nearby Town:	Holbrook
Rating:
Directions:	From I-40 , traveling westbound on Interstate 40, exit at milepost 311, drive through the park and connect with U.S. 180 at the south end. Visitors can then take U.S. 180 west to Holbrook and continue west on Interstate 40. Traveling eastbound visitors can exit Interstate 40 at Holbrook and take U.S. 180 east to the park, drive north through the park, and return to Interstate 40. Petrified Forest National Park is located near the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, stretching between Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 180, about 150 miles southeast of the Grand Canyon. It encompasses 146 square miles (93,5333 acres) running about 7 miles east to west and 15 miles north to south, just west of Holbrook, Arizona.
Total Hike Distance:	3.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Easy to Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Visitor's Center
Trails Used:	No Trails, Bushwack Only
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	None
Management:	National Park Service
Contact Information:	Forest/Park/Wilderness: Petrified Forest National Park Management: National Park Service Park Address/Phone Number: Petrified Forest National Park P.O. Box 2217 Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 86028 928-524-6228
Best Season:	Winter, Fall
Users:	Hikers
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona and features one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. The Chinle Formation or multi-hued badlands of the park are known locally as the Painted Desert with historic structures, archeological sites and displays of 225 million-year-old fossils. The backcountry of the Petrified Forest National Park includes 50,260 acres of established wilderness but day hikes are the most popular way to explore the backcountry. There are no developed trails in Petrified Forest wilderness so most hiking is cross-country. Water and shade are scarce in the backcountry, so take plenty of water, a hat, and sun screen.