Holbrook,
ideally situated on the banks of the Little Colorado River, is the door to the Petrified Forest National Park. This is Arizona high plateau country. Holbrook is over 5,000 in elevation and, to the north, are the Hopi and Navajo Indian reservations. Much of the activity in Holbrook is centered in Native American culture, e.g., the "Gathering of Eagles" Native American art show in mid-July.
To the north in the reservations is the rugged plateau country with the famous prehistoric cliff-dwellings, e.g.,
Canyon de
Chelly. Situated on Navajo and Hopi Reservation lands, this offers you not only the opportunity to tour these historic landmarks but to view Native American ceremonial dances and other tribal events. Also on display are many Native American arts and crafts, many of which are available for purchase. |
Painted
Desert - and -
The Petrified Forest National Park
To the east at exit 311 of I-40 is the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest National
Park. If you are traveling from east to west on I-40 you can drive right through the Park to US-180, then
head back west to Holbrook and your lodging for the night. If you are east-bound, we suggest you follow US-180 east from Holbrook to the southern Park entrance (about 18 miles) drive through the Park to exit 311 of I-40 and then continue your
journey eastward.
The Park has a web site at www.nps.gov/pefo/.
On the home page of their site, in the narrow yellow band just below the black header, is a link to a "Printable Travel Guide". We suggest you print it out now and take it with you on your trip. |
