Arizona 2008 Official State Visitor's Guide - (Page 18) Park it in Arizona PeTrified foreST naTional Park Fossils dating back 225 million years and clusters of rock-hard petrified wood are the draw at this 52,000-acre expanse of brilliantly hued badlands and “painted desert.” This is a relatively easy park to explore in a day, although a longer visit affords a more thorough understanding of this eerie, dramatic landscape. The Approach: Interstate 40 cuts right through the property, en route from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Flagstaff. Petrified Forest is just 25 miles east of Holbrook, a 90-minute drive east of Flagstaff and a 90-minute drive south of Canyon de Chelly. Visitor Center Tips: If possible, come on the first Wednesday of the month, to partake of one of the free ecology and natural history lectures offered at the park’s Painted Desert Community Complex. At the visitor center, you can watch an excellent film about how petrified wood comes to be. Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: The onemile Blue Mesa Trail, which is right off the 28-mile park road, affords hikers a great view of the badlands’ bizarre blue-clay hills, along with ancient fern fossils and petrified wood and logs. A Lunch to Remember: There’s a basic restaurant at the visitor center, but it’s more interesting to arrive at the park with picnic supplies and dine alfresco at Chinde Point picnic area, overlooking the painted desert. Offbeat Activity or Attraction: Stop by the restored adobe Painted Desert Inn, which underwent a massive renovation in 2006. The striking former hotel, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the ’30s, is now a museum. The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: The pullouts along the park road for Chinde Point or, just a bit farther along, Kachina Point. If You Have More Time: A hike into the park’s wilderness, which only a tiny fraction of visitors ever attempt. A trail from the Painted Desert Inn leads north into the park’s most scenic backcountry, where camping (by permit) is allowed. The Best Parks for Stimulating Outdoorsy Activities Many visitors to national parks think almost exclusively of exploring these scenic sites on foot or by car, but there are plenty of other ways to experience Arizona’s most beautiful natural wonders, from horseback rides to rafting excursions to bike trips. Here are some favorite sporting activities and some ideal parks for pursuing them. Bicycling: The park roads and well-maintained trails at Tucson’s Saguaro National Park are perfect for mountain biking. Horseback Riding: Situated on the floor of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Totsonii Ranch offers wonderfully interesting horseback adventures, lasting from two hours to three days. Kayaking: Lake Mead National Recreation Area rangers can recommend outfitters who provide kayaking and canoeing tours and rentals. Whitewater Rafting: There may be no more exhilarating way to behold the grandeur of Grand Canyon National Park than on a guided rafting trip down the roiling Colorado River – numerous companies offer these tours. For more information, visit arizonaguide.com or www.nps.gov/state/az. 18 • A r i z o n A o f f i c i A l S tAt e V i S i t o r ’ S G u i d e Rafting Grand Canyon National Park ©AOT http://www.arizonaguide.com http://www.nps.gov/state/az
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