Petrified Forest National Park

Bus Bust at Petrified Forest National Park Nets Stolen Wood - and a Lot More

Submitted by Jim Burnett on January 28, 2012 - 1:21am

The theft of petrified wood is an ongoing problem at Petrified Forest National Park, so it was gratifying to learn that a tip from a visitor resulted in the apprehension of a group of thieves earlier this month. The bust of the group traveling in a converted school bus also netted some other items of considerable interest to authorities.

Celebrate Petrified Forest National Park's 105th Anniversary On December 8

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 1, 2011 - 1:28am

Petrified Forest National Park marks its 105th anniversary on December 8, and in honor of that the park has lined up a number of special activities for visitors.

Major Addition to Petrified Forest National Park May Hold Significant Features

Submitted by Jim Burnett on September 8, 2011 - 11:12pm

The treasure trove of unique geology and archeology found in Petrified Forest National Park has just grown by the addition of some 26,000 acres to the park. The recent purchase of a privately-owned ranch within the park's authorized boundaries expands the protected area by about twenty-five percent.

Permanent Vacation: Twenty Writers on Work and Life in Our National Parks

Submitted by Danny Bernstein on June 26, 2011 - 12:01am

Millions of people visit our national parks each year, and some never leave. See iconic landscapes through the eyes of bed makers, bridge builders, rangers, and wranglers. Rip through rapids, disappear inside canyons, and witness personal transformations from petrified forest to permafrost. Learn what it's like to ditch the mainstream and make a life in our nation's best idea.

The Case of the Cigarette Smoking Woman At Petrified Forest National Park

Submitted by haunted hiker on October 27, 2010 - 12:52am

Looking for a few good ghosts in the national parks this Halloween? Consider Petrified Forest National Park with its Case of the Cigarette Smoking Woman.

Dumb Crooks, National Parks Version

Submitted by Jim Burnett on August 21, 2010 - 11:02pm

One might think that people who are involved in illegal activities would try to avoid attracting the attention of the Proper Authorities, but fortunately for the sake of law and order, that's not always the case. Three cases of Dumb and Dumber from separate parks confirm that crime still doesn't pay.

Common Southwestern Native Plants, An Identification Guide

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on May 11, 2010 - 11:00pm

Anyone who spends time hiking in the national parks of the Southwest needs a good plant identification book. And "Common Southwestern Native Plants, An Identification Guide," is one of those books.

Looking for Special Holiday Programs? Here's a Sampling at Parks from Coast to Coast

Submitted by Jim Burnett on November 30, 2009 - 2:18am

Looking for a break from shopping, football, and end-of-year hustle and bustle? December is prime time for special programs and events in a number of parks. Here's a sampling in areas from coast to coast.

Route 66 Fans Rejoice! Here's a Great New Source of Information On "The Mother Road"

Submitted by Jim Burnett on September 29, 2009 - 1:52am

In the days before interstate highways made travel faster—and usually a lot less interesting—a road trip to some popular NPS sites included a drive on at least part of Route 66. Fans of the historic highway now have a great new resource for information about the famous route.

National Park Geologic Sites Draw Raves and Rants

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on August 18, 2009 - 1:00am

Smithsonian high-fives the parks and Yahoo! Travel flips the bird.

Rules! Rules! Rules!

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on January 5, 2009 - 6:31am

Yes, yes, I know that you always consult the Superintendent’s Compendium of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions as required under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation § 1.7(b) before visiting a national park. But do you really know all you need to know to be a responsible park visitor?

Petrified Forest National Park is Still Being Stolen One Piece at a Time

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on December 10, 2008 - 2:15am

A decade ago, visitors at Petrified Forest National Park were stealing the park’s petrified wood at the rate of 12 tons a year. Warning signage, hefty fines, legal purchase options, and other countermeasures have done some good, but losses continue to mount.

Congress Authorized Expansion of Petrified Forest National Park, But Forgot to Fund It

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 31, 2008 - 9:33am

I've told you about private development and Valley Forge National Historical Park, and about private development and Acadia National Park, and about the National Park Service being so poor it has to turn to commercial interests to preserve history. So does it come as any surprise that Congress approved, but failed to fund, expansion of Petrified Forest National Park?

Park History: Petrified Forest National Park

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 9, 2007 - 3:00am

Stumps of stone. Rock palettes that tell stories. Prehistory frozen in place for hundreds of millions of years. Colorful badlands. That's a pretty good way to sum up what you'll find at Petrified Forest National Park.