The Painted Desert Inn is celebrating its 100th year this month, though it started under another name and was in danger of being torn down during the mid-1970s. To celebrate the centennial, the surrounding Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will offer free activities for families on June 21-23 along with moonlight-guided tours of … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn in eastern Arizona marks its 100th year
Tag: Petrified Forest National Park
Proposed rule may ban rock-hunting in Mojave Trails National Monument
Rock collecting in the Mojave Trails National Monument that includes Route 66 in southern California may become banned under a proposed rule by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Los Angeles Times reports the BLM is nearing completion of a management plan that could declare rock collecting a form of mining. If that happens, … Continue reading Proposed rule may ban rock-hunting in Mojave Trails National Monument
Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Old bottles of 76 and Kist soda and a Crescent Creamery bottle found along old Route 66 in the Petrified Forest National Park. (NPS) KJZZ-FM radio, a public station based in Phoenix, recently conducted a fascinating interview with a paleontologist at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. William Parker, the paleontologist, collects trash … Continue reading Paleontologist collects trash from old Route 66 at Petrified Forest National Park
Road closed in Petrified Forest National Park for pavement, bridge work
A lengthy section of road in the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona will be closed through late March, with possible travel delays through June after the road reopens. According to the Navajo-Hopi Observer, the road closure begins south of the Blue Mesa Loop and north of the Crystal Forest trail area. Areas closed … Continue reading Road closed in Petrified Forest National Park for pavement, bridge work
U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
The shutdown of the U.S. government that began Friday night is affecting some, but not all, of the national parks and other sites managed by the National Park Service. The effect the shutdown, if it's short-term, should be low on Route 66 because it's tourism off-season, especially near the Christmas and New Year's holidays. One … Continue reading U.S. government shutdown affects some national parks
Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66
The ongoing shutdown by the U.S. federal government shuttered National Park Service sites on or near Route 66 this weekend, with no resolution in sight. An exception is Grand Canyon National Park, which remains accessible because of a partnership with the state of Arizona. Businesses there that include lodging, restaurants and retail stay open. Within … Continue reading Government shutdown closes several sites on or near Route 66
Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
The U.S. Park Service is considering steep increases to 17 of its most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a side trip for many Route 66 travelers. The Associated Press reported Tuesday: Visitors to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion and other national parks would be charged $70 per vehicle, up … Continue reading Fees could rise sharply at popular national parks, including Grand Canyon
Woman stole $313,000 in Petrified Forest National Park entrance fees
A former worker at the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona was sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay back the $313,000 in entrance fees she stole. Sharon Baldwin, 47, of Sanders, Arizona, also must undergo three years of supervised release, according to a report in the Arizona Republic. She had … Continue reading Woman stole $313,000 in Petrified Forest National Park entrance fees
Painted Desert Community Complex named National Historic Landmark
A series of buildings called the Painted Desert Community Complex that greet travelers to the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona were among 24 National Historic Landmarks declared by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. National Historic Landmarks are "historic properties of exceptional value to the nation and promotes the preservation efforts … Continue reading Painted Desert Community Complex named National Historic Landmark
National parks likely will offer naming rights
The Painted Desert in Arizona won't be renamed the Sherwin Williams Painted Desert anytime soon. But many other things will be up for grabs when the National Park Service begins to look for naming rights for many parts of its facilities. The Washington Post this week published a story about this development. Hard up for money because of flat funding from … Continue reading National parks likely will offer naming rights