Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona contains the fossilized remnants of an ancient forest and the Painted Desert, a multi-hued badlands along Interstate 40.

The national park is an easy visit for travelers along I-40 between Flagstaff and New Mexico, with an exit right off the highway. The national park used to preserve much more petrified wood, however, visitors have stolen much of the petrified forest one chunk at a time. Most of this happened before conservationist ethics infected most of the general population, but rangers will still ask you if you took any petrified wood from the park - you are not allowed to collect any petrified wood under any circumstances.

Most of the park is organized along the 28-mile scenic drive, and stopping at the overlooks along with hiking a few short trails will give you the feel of the park - this is an easy national park to visit.

There are no developed campgrounds in the park, but you can backpack into the wilderness area of the Painted Desert if you get a permit. Unlike many national parks, pets are permitted on the maintained trails in the Petrified Forest National Park.