The desolate expanse of the Painted Desert east of Holbrook in northern Arizona. Photo by Jim Hoey
The Painted Desert is a
multi-colored area of desert known as the Chinle Formation from
about 225 million years ago. It is part of the Petrified Forest
National Park, and contains many prehistoric fossils considered
valuable to study by paleontologists. The visitor center and museum
is open year around.
To get to
the Painted Desert, take Interstate-17 north from Phoenix to
Flagstaff and go east on Interstate-40 to Exit 311, 25 miles past
Holbrook. From Albuquerque, it is about 48 miles west of the Arizona
border on Interstate-40.
For
more information, contact:
