After my first visit years previously, we spent the majority of time viewing the petrified wood in the Southern section of the park, though we did make it to the Painted Desert for a brief drive. If we returned, I promised we would fully explore this area of the park.

North End

I revisited the park in November 2022, exclusively exploring the "Painted Desert" North Entrance area of the park. If this national park is inscribed, it would protect a section of Route 66 (pictured above). Hiking the easy, yet rewarding Painted Desert Rim Trail (1.2 miles) from Tawa Point to the Painted Desert Inn/Kachina Point is an essential experience during the magical hour before sunset. The Painted Desert Inn (built 1937-1940) just off the original alignment of Route 66 is a historic gem of Pueblo Revival Architecture, which includes designs from Mary Jane Colter (also known for her 'Parkitecture' properties at the Grand Canyon). The Painted Desert Inn is a National Historic Landmark. The vistas in the Painted Desert are expansive. The color palette here is special and we enjoyed a few hours before continuing West.

The Petrified Forest National Park has doubled in size since the early 2000's. Much of the expansion land was already being authorized even as the 2008 nomination was officially added to the US Tentative List (from 93,533 acres to 221,390 acres). The values of the park are perhaps more diverse than the originally proposed criteria (vii, viii). I would much prefer the nomination (when and if it comes to fruition) to seek inscription based on cultural and natural criteria. Here is the US ICOMOS World Heritage Celebration Video highlighting the OUV of Petrified Forest National Park. 

For travelers wishing to explore the parks wilderness areas, such as Devil's Playground (three permits are available each week on a first-come-first-serve basis at the Painted Desert Visitor Center only). Additionally, there are also plenty of longer hikes that offer rewarding experiences, such as the Onyx Bridge Hike (4.6 miles). I know for my next revist, I will be looking at one of these opportunities with excitement.

Flick Album