Top 9 in Top 10 best national parks in the US to visit for a memorable adventure.
Petrified Forest Road, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
This national park has trees over 200 million years old that have turned to stone by absorbing minerals from the water that once surrounded them. The park also includes fossil flora and fauna, petroglyphs, wildflowers, colorful rock formations and wildlife. Hiking trails allow visitors to see petrified wood, petroglyphs and fossils.
The ride from one end of the park to the other is about 28 miles. There's so much to see, from the Painted Desert in the north to the southern half, which is mostly petrified wood. Walking trails along the way bring visitors close to the attractions. Starting north at Exit 311, stop at the Desert Visitor Center for an 18-minute film, hands-on exhibits, and a short walking trail.
Next stop will be the Painted Desert Inn, now a National Museum and Historic Landmark. Originally built of petrified wood, the Inn has since been restored and in the summer. Continue south to Puerco Pueblo for a fascinating look at hundreds of petroglyphs left by the Puebloan people. Continue south to the Rainbow Forest Museum near the park's south entrance to visit the paleontological exhibits and hit some hiking trails.