Petrified Forest National Park. The Petrified Forest is known for its fossils, especially fallen trees that lived in the Late Triassic, about 225 million years ago.
The sediments containing the fossil logs are part of the widespread and colorful Chinle Formation, from which the Painted Desert gets its name. Beginning about 60 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau, of which the park is part, was pushed upward by tectonic forces and exposed to increased erosion. All of the park's rock layers above the Chinle, except geologically recent ones found in parts of the park, have been removed by wind and water. In addition to petrified logs, fossils found in the park have included Late Triassic ferns, cycads, ginkgoes, and many other plants as well as fauna including giant reptiles called phytosaurs, large amphibians, and early dinosaurs. Paleontologists have been unearthing and studying the park's fossils since the early 20th century.
Geography[edit] I-40, former U.S. Geology[edit] Fossils[edit] Climate[edit] History[edit] Brochures - Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon Tours and Bryce Canyon Tours. Day 1 – Phoenix, ArizonaSpend four nights in national park lodges, including two nights at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and two nights at Zion Lodge, the only lodging in Zion National Park, on your journey to the greatest national parks of the Southwest!
Your adventure begins in Phoenix, Arizona. Transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport by hotel courtesy shuttle to your hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Join Caravan for a 6:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Day 2 – Sedona, Grand CanyonDrive through Scottsdale and along Camelback Mountain on your morning sightseeing. South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is the most famous part of the Grand Canyon, and the busiest.
It's the place you may have visited through your Viewmaster as a child, or seen in National Geographic. See It Now: Photo Tour Best Time to Visit Check the average highs, lows, and rainfall for your planned travel dates on our Grand Canyon Weather page. Summer is very busy, and if it's your only option, it's manageable with advance planning. Getting There The nearest major airports are in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and the most convenient way to get to the canyon from either airport is to rent a car and drive. Where to Sleep and Eat. Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon National Park. How to Plan an RV Trip to the Grand Canyon. According to the US Department of the Interior National Parks Service, the Grand Canyon National Park is a powerful and inspiring landscape that overwhelms our senses through its immense size; 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.
Experiencing the Grand Canyon firsthand provides travelers with unforgettable memories along with its extraordinary views. Taking an RV trip to the Arizona landmark calls for advanced planning to guarantee a successful journey. Step 1 Plan your RV trip at least six months ahead of time to ensure campground availability. Reservations for the campgrounds are accepted this far in advance, but you may need to plan some of the other activities well before this time. Step 2. Day Hiking - Grand Canyon National Park. North Rim Day Hikes: Bright Angel Point Trail 0.5 mi. / 0.8 km round-trip; 30 minutes approximate round-trip hiking time.
A short walk on a paved trail to a spectacular view of the canyon. The trail begins at the log shelter in the parking area by the visitor center or at the corner of the back porch behind the lodge. Self-guiding nature trail pamphlets are available from a box along the trail. Transept Trail 3.0 mi. / 4.8 km round-trip; 1.5 hours approximate round-trip hiking time. Bridle Trail This trail follows the road as it connects the Grand Canyon Lodge with the North Kaibab Trailhead, a distance of 1.2 miles / 2 km one-way.
North Kaibab Trail Distance and hiking times vary. Ken Patrick Trail 10 mi. / 16 km one-way; 6 hours approximate one-way hiking time.