Some visitors wait like to wait for the approach of sunset in the Painted Desert. Larsen isn't one of them. She believes that a few hours before sunset, as well the few hours after sunrise, offer the best views, when shadows don't obscure so much of the landscape.

Visitors who have little time for a full visit to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest can easily exit I-40 and spend a worthwhile half-hour or several hours here.

The park's northern section also preserves a section of historic Route 66 (complete with a rusting old car).

At an elevation of 5,600 feet above sea level, the area does receive snow in the winter.

Roads in the park were repaved during 2007, so they are at their best. However, rangers caution drivers to only go the posted speed limits. Some pronghorn sheep were struck and killed by a speeding car a few years ago.

"Animals here are wild," Larsen said. "Ravens are especially a concern. They may approach you, but do not feed them, just ignore them."

Larsen said scientific study of the ruins and petrified wood continues in the park.

"We've discovered more in the past five years than in the previous 80," she said, explaining some park pamphlets will have to be re-written because of new discoveries made.

Federal law prohibits the collection of removal of petrified wood in the park. However, rock shops in the surrounding area — like the massive, warehouse-like Jim Gray's on Arizona 180, sell wood gathered from public and private lands outside the national park. At Gray's you'll find all manner of souvenirs, from small petrified-wood trinkets and stones to massive (and expensive) furniture, such as elegant coffee tables.

Lodging is available in Holbrook, about 25 miles away. There are no campgrounds in the park, but wilderness camping is permitted with a free permit from the visitors center.

Visitors coming from the east on I-40 should consider taking exit No. 285 in Holbrook and going southeast to Arizona 180 to the park's south entrance. The 28-mile road will then return them north to I-40 at exit No. 311.

Park admission is $10 per vehicle. For more information, call 1-928-524-6228.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com; rayb@desnews.com