PETRIFIED WOOD MAY NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE MONUMENT The National Park System, of which Petrified Forest National Monument is a unit, is dedicated to the conservation of America’s scenic, scientific, and historic heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Petrified Forest National Monument, containing 85,304 acres of federally owned land, has the greatest and most colorful concentration of petrified wood known in the world. In the monument are six separate “forests” where giant logs of

The ruins of pueblos built by Indians in pre-Columbian times, from 800 to 1,400 years ago, are scattered on nearly every mesa throughout the monument. Low mounds, strewn with blocks of sandstone and bits of broken pottery, mark the sites of these ancient homes. Some of the dwellings, such as the Agate House in the Third Forest, were built of blocks of petrified wood, and smaller fragments of this material were chipped into arrowheads, knives, and scrapers. Many petroglyphs (pictures carved into

Apparently the first man to report the “stone trees” was Lieutenant Sitgreaves, an Army officer who explored parts of northern Arizona in 1851, soon after Arizona was acquired by the United States. The petrified forests remained largely unknown, however, until the settlement of northern Arizona began in 1878 and the Atlantic and Pacific, now the Santa Fe Railway, was completed across northern Arizona in 1883. During the following years, the existence of the petrified forests was threatened by so

The Forests. —About 160 million years ago, in Triassic time, northern Arizona was probably a lowland where shifting streams spread sand and mud over the plains. Scientists believe that the growing forests were upstream, possibly as much as a hundred miles west and southwest of the present petrified forests. The principal tree resembled modern pines, but was more closely related to the Araucarian pines of South America and Australia. Remains of two other kinds of primitive trees are also occasion

All visitors are invited to see the Rainbow Forest Museum. Its exhibits include many outstanding examples of polished petrified wood, fossils, and minerals; charts explaining the formation of the petrified forests and the badlands; and a diorama. Other exhibits may be seen at the Painted Desert Museum, which is open during the summer. During the summer months short talks are given periodically in the Rainbow Forest Museum; and, as circumstances permit, guided tours through the Rainbow Forest are

Excellent paved approach roads make Petrified Forest National Monument easily accessible by car, and it can be visited throughout the year. US 66, crossing the area near the Painted Desert, is the approach from the east. Travelers from the southeast, south, and west enter from US 260. The monument road connects these two main highways and leads through the more interesting parts of the area. This road through the monument is closed to through travel at night. Travelers by rail must obtain privat

At the Rainbow Forest, a small picnic ground, equipped with table, shade, and water supply, is available for free use in daytime only. There are no camping facilities. The nearest towns having cabin, hotel, store, and garage facilities are Holbrook, Ariz., 20 miles west; Gallup, N. Mex., 92 miles east; and St. Johns, Ariz., 42 miles southeast. Distances are from monument headquarters. Meals, gasoline, and souvenirs may be obtained at the Painted Desert Inn and at the Rainbow Forest Lodge....

A superintendent is in immediate charge of the monument. Communications should be addressed to him at Petrified Forest National Monument, Holbrook, Ariz....

From US 66—Read down From US 260—Read up Painted Desert Rim Drive. —Take road from US 66 to rim. Distance back to US 66, via rim, about 4 miles. Beautiful view of Painted Desert. Museum of Indian Arts and Crafts in basement of Painted Desert Inn. Painted Desert. —Erosion cutting across the many colored beds of shale and sandstone produced the “Painted Desert.” Puerco River Ranger Station. —To enter monument, secure automobile permit, 50 cents. Visit Puerco Indian Ruin back of ranger station. Rui