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Summer Solstice Archaeoastronomical Site Visit
The ancient inhabitants of Petrified Forest were intimately connected to the rhythms of their natural environment. The seasons impacted when they planted, harvested and other important events in their lives. Therefore, it is not surprising the Ancestral Puebloan people would create features that helped them track the passage of time. One of the most important of these would be archaeoastronomical markers marking the summer solstice. Join us for an extraordinary cross-country, overnight trip to view this rare event.
Find out more »Nightscape Photography
Discover the simple beauty of the natural design in monochromatic images of this ancient landscape. Among the fascinating backdrops of the Tepees, Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest, this workshop will introduce the participant to the concept of seeing things in a different way.
Find out more »Hands-on Biology: Reptiles and Amphibians—Daytime
Instructor: Andy Bridges The high quality grassland, riparian, and badlands habitats in the Petrified Forest National Park support a large variety of plants and animals. Most of the animals are very secretive, and it’s a rare pleasure to observe a large mammal grazing, or maybe a reptile, bird, or interesting insect that calls the park home. Join Petrified Forest National Park Biologist Andy Bridges for a hands-on experience with reptiles and amphibians. We will visit several live trapping sites in…
Find out more »Young Paleontologist’s Fossil Exploration
Do you have a science minded youngster in the family between the ages of 7 and 11? Well this program is just for them. The Young Paleontologist’s Fossil Exploration class is designed as an option for kids that are too young to participate in the Fossil Dig and Excavation class but still want to learn about Triassic fossils and the work of paleontologists.
Find out more »Fossil Dig: Discovery and Excavation
Prepare to get dirty digging in the Triassic Chinle Formation for fossil bones of giant amphibians, reptiles, and even early dinosaurs. Join the park paleontologist for a fossil dig in the Petrified Forest National Park. This one day excursion provides an introduction to paleontology field work.
Find out more »Hands-on Biology: Reptiles and Amphibians—Nighttime
Instructor: Andy Bridges The high quality grassland, riparian, and badlands habitats in the Petrified Forest National Park support a large variety of plants and animals. Most of the animals are very secretive, and several are nocturnal. Only after the park closes and the roads are clear can you see many of the reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds that move, hunt, and breed after dark. Join Petrified Forest NP Biologist Andy Bridges for a hands-on experience with reptiles and amphibians. Most…
Find out more »Fossil Dig: Discovery and Excavation
Prepare to get dirty digging in the Triassic Chinle Formation for fossil bones of giant amphibians, reptiles, and even early dinosaurs. Join the park paleontologist for a fossil dig in the Petrified Forest National Park. This one day excursion provides an introduction to paleontology field work.
Find out more »Ancient Logs and Lost Landscapes
Our geology group will meet at the main Petrified Forest Visitor Center for an introduction to Earth’s geologic history, illustrated with posters and diagrams. We will then take a two hour hike through a fantastic display of petrified logs and Chinle Formation landscapes to explore the geology while learning the best methods to capture them through your lens. Be sure to bring your camera for the added benefit of tips and instruction from Gary Ladd, a world-renowned photographer.
Find out more »Gary Ladd Photo Workshop
Join photographer Gary Ladd on a photographic exploration of Petrified Forest National Park. We will visit one or two segments of the park to photograph the park’s landscapes of petrified logs and colorful Chinle Shale terrains. At the top of our potential list of sites is a seldom visited section of Blue Mesa, a visit into the heart of Jasper Forest and a lonesome section of the Rainbow Forest.
Find out more »Hands-on: Paleontology and Geology in the Land of Color
Petrified Forest National Park is deservedly known as one of the best records of Late Triassic paleontology and geology in the world. New paleontological discoveries are made with impressive regularity, expanding the knowledge of this seminal time in the history of life on our planet. In addition, the archaeological record at the park is an important piece of the regional prehistory. Moreover, it is one of the most beautiful and fantastical landscapes anywhere!
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