Our original plan did not include this park.
We were supposed to reach Sedona early and enjoyed the night. However..
the driver (that's me) insisted that we should visit this park.
Thus extra 250 miles were added to our journey.
Turned out that this was a very special (and beautiful) place. The buauty
of painted desert and the cross-section of petrified wood is beyond description.
I was surprised because I didn't get much information about this park.
Like the same regrets I had for most of the parks, I wished I had more time
here.
Location: Arizona, USA South West
: City : National Park : National Monument / Miscellaneous
This park is too far away from other National Parks or major cities, thus
makes it difficult to reach. If you do come, you probably
want to spend a full day here and take some trails to have close look at
the painted desert and petrified wood.
There are a lot of lodging options along I-40. We can't say how good they are
though they looked economic.
With dinosaur fossils, petrified wood, ancient Pueblo ruins and rock painting,
blue mesa and literally painted desert, this small park is nicely packed
for the whole family to enjoy.
Don't try to collect petrified wood in the park. They are very serious about
the offence. There are gift shops outside the park selling legally collected
petrified wood. They are far from cheap but surely are most beautiful gifts.