Visitors to Petrified Forest National Park are invited to attend the special programs scheduled in the coming days.
Shapes and Colors of the Painted Desert is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. This program is offered by Petrified Forest Field Institute and an additional fee is required; go online to http://www.petrifiedforestfieldinstitute.org/ for additional information. Bring a canvas or some paper and your favorite art medium to explore the light and shadows, colors and shapes of the inspiring and compelling vistas of the Painted Desert. Join Carol Sletten as she helps participants find and express their own unique artistic vision.
The Park Horse Program will be spotlighted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at the Crystal Forest. Petrified Forest is one of only a few national parks that still use horses in its operations. Come meet Trooper or Gus, and learn from the ranger why horses continue to serve here. Find the ranger riding the horse anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the Crystal Forest Trail.
Off the Beaten Path Hike: Martha’s Butte will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 29. Meet at the Rainbow Forest Museum, then caravan to the trailhead.
| You will join a ranger for a hike to explore and discover petroglyphs in this unique landscape. The hike is about 2½ miles round trip over uneven terrain. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks and appropriate footwear. Allow two hours. |
In addition, cultural demonstrators with ancestral ties to the area share engaging skills and traditions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Painted Desert Inn.
Geocaching is available daily at selected locations throughout the park. Anyone with a GPS device can play! There are several geocaches at Petrified Forest National Park where a hidden container can be found and a logbook signed. For more information on geocaching, visit Geocaching.com.
Junior Ranger programs are offered daily, offering youngsters an opportunity to explore, learn about and protect their national parks! Fun activities engage young visitors at Petrified Forest, and are rewarded with a badge and patch by finishing the appropriate number of activities. Pick up a booklet at any park visitor center.
Tours of the Painted Desert Inn are offered anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily at the park. The inn is a beautiful building with rich history and stunning views to boot. Ask any staff member in the building to give you a brief, personal tour during your visit, and if they can, they will.
