Petrified Forest National Park in the Painted Desert

After running several errands in Holbrook the morning of May 13th, we drove southeast on Highway 180 to enter the Petrified Forest National Park at the Southwest entrance.  For those readers who may not be aware, the Petrified Forest is actually within the Painted Desert and visitors literally can drive through the area, parking their vehicles to get out and walk on trails as they wish.  Dogs are allowed on the paved trails and so Barley and Sydney were able to go with us, and they got some good exercise!

We spent over three hours driving slowly along the main 28 mile stretch, frequently stopping to get out of the Trek to walk on the paved trails and take in the beauty at the overlooks. We both loved it!  The petrified wood is so colorful and beautiful, and even the texture of the bark was preserved in the fossilization process.  

The colors and shapes of Painted Desert are breathtaking.  I cannot write anything here that would do it justice. 

Take a look at some of the photos we took. I highly recommend you add the Petrified Forest National Park to your "must visit" list whenever you find yourself in the area.  And be sure to drive the 3.5 mile loop road at Blue Mesa - the views from there are amazing!