Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is located in both Navajo and Apache counties in Arizona and near the Holbrook metropolis area. The park was proclaimed as a national monument in 1906, was established as a park in 1962 and was designated as a wilderness in 1970. 

Today the park encompasses a total area of about 221,000 acres of land. If you want to get to the park’s north entrance, drive 26 miles east of Holbrook along the I-40. The south entrance to the park can be accessed through the US 180 and driving 19 miles east of Holbrook.

Several features make the Petrified Forest National Park a unique place to visit. That said, one of the most remarkable features to see is the large concentration of petrified woods. For this reason, Petrified Forest National Park has the title of being "the world's largest and most colorful concentration of petrified wood."

Other remarkable attractions to this national park include historic structures, archeological sites, the Painted Desert (or the multi-hued badlands of the Chinle Formation) and the earliest known dinosaur’s fossils in North America dating as far back as 225 million years ago.

Besides these attractive features, you can also enjoy several recreational activities including horseback riding, hiking, auto touring, bicycling, and ranger-guided tours. All these activities can be enjoyed through several amenities made available by the park including restaurants, self-guided tour/trail, visitor center, museum/exhibit, picnic area, and restrooms. 

Bringing your dog into the park is also permitted as long as you comply with park rules. Some of the basic park rules that relate to dogs and dog owners include ensuring that you clean up after your dog. Ensuring that you keep your dog on a leash. 

Making sure that you respect all park resources, other visitors, and their pets and being aware of areas of the park that you can and cannot visit. That said, Petrified Forest National Park has a Bark Ranger program that allows you to enjoy most of the park with your pooch. You can sign up for the program at the gate.