This National Park in the Painted Desert Has a 'Rainbow Forest'-and Route 66 Americana Vibes

"Petrified Forest National Park is best known for its 200-million-plus-year-old plant and animal fossils from the Triassic Period, or the "Dawn of the Dinosaurs." It's a collection that includes the eponymous petrified logs, which were formed after trees were buried in an ancient river system; minerals then absorbed into the wood and replaced the organic material. The structures we see today are made up of nearly solid quartz, and the impurities within the quartz (like iron and carbon) result in a display of stunning colors."

"Located in northeastern Arizona, it's one of the state's three national parks, alongside Grand Canyon National Park and Saguaro National Park. While a trip to the park will always be worthwhile, it'll be particularly fitting to visit it next year. In 2026, the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the "Mother Road" and Petrified Forest is the only national park with a section of Historic Route 66."

""There are plenty of rare migratory birds that see our sparse number of trees as a much-needed resting place on their way, [but] some tree dwellers that are surprisingly more interesting than the birds ... are the largest rodent in the park: the porcupines," park ranger Luke Heberer tells Travel + Leisure. "In the winter and spring, they are easily seen high up in the branches, munching on buds.""

Petrified Forest National Park lies in northeastern Arizona and covers nearly 222,000 acres of semi-arid landscape. The park contains a section of Historic Route 66 and will be connected to the road's 2026 centennial celebrations. The park preserves 200-million-plus-year-old Triassic plant and animal fossils, including petrified logs formed when trees were buried in ancient river systems and replaced by mineralized quartz whose impurities produce vivid colors. The park also features petroglyphs, backcountry hiking, and abundant wildlife, including rare migratory birds, porcupines often seen in trees, pronghorn, and elk.

Read at Travel + Leisure