Petrified Forest National Park

The Petrified National Forest is one of the most interesting natural phenomenons in the United States. Dotted with cliffs, odd limestone formations, trees turned to stone, and general desert scrub, you may get the sense you’ve stumbled across an Arizona desert wasteland.

The opposite is in fact true. Petrified National Forest boasts a unique environment with a strange array of Arizona wildlife. A hike here has the potential to stick in the memory of Arizona adventurers.

The trees themselves, the park’s namesake, are said to have floated downstream and come to rest here, in the midst of the desert. Over time, the steady streams of volcanic ash eventually covered the logs, altering the consistency of the wood. Silica formed and the wood transformed slowly to a shiny, dense, stone like form. Petrified Forest National Park contains the largest example of petrified wood in the world and despite early pillaging, there is still an impressive supply.

Wildlife also adorns the park, one of the most noteworthy species being the bounding antelope that bound amidst the limestone cliffs. For an impressive array of natural wonders, set aside some time to explore Petrified National Forest and other unique Arizona natural attractions.