 The Petrified Forest National Park is really two parks in one, the Painted Desert at the North end and the Rainbow Forest at the South end. The park covers over 93,533 acres and consists of six separate "forests" That took over 200 million years to form. There are excellent loop hikes in order to explore the many fascinating sights of natural log bridges, crystals and logs along with the many colors of the layered rocks and hills of the Painted Desert. Fossilized bones of "Gertie," a small ancestor of the huge tyrannosaurus were discovered near Chinde Point, among the fallen trees of the Petrified Forest. At the time of the discovery, in 1985, the bones were the most ancient known to science, at some 225 million years old. Since her discovery, Gertie tentatively has been identified as a Staurikosaur. These meat-eating creatures were small; just 7 to 8 feet long, and about 150 pounds. Following studies by paleontologists, Gertie's fossilized bones will be displayed at Petrified Forest.
 Visitors to the Petrified Forest National Park may gaze across the landscape where remains of Triassic swamplands, marshes, rivers, lakes, and ponds are preserved in the colorful layers of rock. Short trails take the visitors through the "stone forest" where they can see sparkling crystals that make up the petrified wood. Mild fall days make hiking in the park very enjoyable. Located 25 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona on Interstate 40, the Petrified Forest is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The Rainbow Forest Museum and the Painted Desert Visitor Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the Painted Desert Inn Natural Historic Landmark is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A 20 minute movie is shown every-hour at the painted Desert Center Visitor Center. Exhibits may be viewed at each visitor facility and park personnel are available to answer questions. Ranger programs will be presented daily throughout the spring. Check at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and Rainbow Forest Museum for scheduled programs.
 Admission Rates Rangers are available to assist you at the visitor centers, entrance stations, and on patrol! The park entrance fee is $10.00 per car, or $5.00 for bicycles, walk in and motorcycles with one rider, which allows entry to Petrified Forest National Park for a period of seven (7) days.
The annual Park Pass may be purchased at the entrance stations for $25.00. This pass allows the cardholder and anyone in the vehicle, free entrance into Petrified Forest National Park for a period of one year. The Golden Eagle, Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are available and honored here.
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