Earth Science Week at Petrified National Forest near the Grand Canyon, AZ

Every year in October, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona sponsors "Earth Science Week" along with the American Geological Institute. The purpose of the week is to educate visitors about geology and earth sciences and to raise awareness and appreciation about these fields. During the week, visitors to the park can participate in ranger-led programs about the development of petrified wood and different eras in the earth's geological development. Also, special guided hikes are available, all of them easy and not exceeding 1.5 miles in distance. On these hikes, visitors will walk with a knowledgeable park ranger who will point out things in the park that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Kids are especially welcome during Earth Science Week, and children visiting the park can sign up for the Junior Ranger program and earn special geology and earth science badges and awards. The Painted Desert Visitor Center at the park also features many hands-on exhibits during this week, including those about plant and animal fossils and skeletons of Triassic-period animals. All of the above activities are free, although there may be a general admission fee to the park. Petrified Forest National Park is located in eastern Arizona, about 100 miles from Flagstaff and about 175 miles from the Phoenix area.

Points of Interest

Petrified National Forest near the Grand Canyon, AZ

This park comes as a surprise to those expecting the trees to still be standing upright, but there is so much here to see and appreciate.