Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact

Ortega National Parks, a company with roots on Route 66, was given the contract for concessions at the Petrified Forest National Park, reported the Arizona Journal. Xanterra Parks and Resorts held the park's concessions contract for more than 30 years after it bought out the Fred Harvey Company, which served the park for 40 years before that. Petrified … Continue reading Petrified Forest National Park awards new concessions contact

A view from above Route 66

Mike and Casey Lynch recently took a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone to shoot amazing aerial footage along Route 66 in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Some of the things you'll find on this 14-minute video: Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, California Anonymous Canyon in Newberry Springs, California Bagdad … Continue reading A view from above Route 66

Painted Desert Inn may serve ice cream, baked goods

The historic Painted Desert Inn in the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona soon may partly go back to its original purpose as an eating place if the National Park Service has its way. For the first time in 75 years, the park is asking for bids from concessionaires, according to the Arizona Journal. … Continue reading Painted Desert Inn may serve ice cream, baked goods

Petrified Forest pilfering tale is fiction

For decades, the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona tried to discourage visitors from stealing its small pieces of petrified wood by saying the park loses 12 tons of the fossils per year. But, as an Arizona Republic report explains, the park's pilfering tale isn't true. No one's for sure how much petrified wood … Continue reading Petrified Forest pilfering tale is fiction

National Trust wants Painted Desert facility restored

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is lobbying to preserve and restore the nearly 50-year-old Painted Desert Community Complex inside the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The complex is the only building designed by acclaimed architect Richard Neutra in the National Park Service system. The building was brought a then-unusual Mid-Century Modern style to the park. … Continue reading National Trust wants Painted Desert facility restored

Tours offered of hard-to-access Route 66 sites in Arizona

The Petrified Forest National Park is allowing free, guided tours of hard-to-reach landmarks on a long-closed section of Route 66 on Aug. 8 and Aug. 10. The tours coincide with the Route 66 festival taking place that weekend in nearby Holbrook, Arizona. The Arizona Journal had a listing of the sites that will be included during … Continue reading Tours offered of hard-to-access Route 66 sites in Arizona

Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday night that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. As a result, parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and services along Route 66 that are maintained by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service reopened Thursday morning. The Grand … Continue reading Government shutdown ends; national parks along Route 66 reopen

Grand Canyon reopens for one week after Arizona foots the bill

The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona reopened Saturday after the state said it would pay $651,000 for one week of its operating expenses. However, all other national parks in Arizona, including Petrified Forest National Park, remain closed because of the federal government shutdown, reported the Arizona Republic. So while Williams and other towns near … Continue reading Grand Canyon reopens for one week after Arizona foots the bill

Route 66 already feeling effects of government shutdown

The shutdown of the United States government started only a few hours ago, and the Route 66 corridor is not immune to its effects. --- The office of the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in Santa Fe, N.M., is closed. As part of the National Park Service, the office cannot offer help on grants and … Continue reading Route 66 already feeling effects of government shutdown