Suggestions for Petrified National Forest, AZ

Who has been here? I am going to make my first trip this summer and want to know where to focus for a day, maybe a day and a half. Willing to bust my balls to get the good sunrise sunset shots. thinking a few with the ultrawide up close with some of the petrified artifacts. Jasper Forest and Blue Mesa in the lower middle portion of the park seem the most promising but that's just going off the brochure. I'm in great shape and could hike into the wilderness if that would be better but would like to hear whether Jasper or Blue would be a good place for some sunrise shots.

Thanks!

It says the park closes at 5. Does that mean just the visitor center or do they block off the entrance/exit roads and seal your sorry patoot in there because you just had to get that sunset shot?

It means that in my experience (somewhat limited) that they (park officials) start a drive through the park, and expect that you should to be moving towards one of the exits. If you are at the northern end of the park, heading south, that gives you a little leeway time wise. It's bad in the summer for the sunset, way too early, but in the late fall or early spring it may be less a problem.

The best guide I have found for photographing Petrified Forest is an issue (#88) of the Photograph America series by Robert Hinchcliffe. Here's a link to it:

http://shop.photograph​america.com …tional-Park-p/088-pdf.htm

He describes the area from a photographer's standpoint, exactly what you want, and at $8.00 it's a bargain in my opinion.

I also used Laurent Martres' guide to the Southwest to plan and guide my visit:

http://www.phototripus​a.com/swb_20.htm

Another great reference!

Maxdave

As an older photographer I believe one of the greatest pleasures of being a landscape and nature photographer is self exploration finding subjects within our natural lands. Guidebooks are fine if vague without indicating too much detail of location like with GPS points. With well known icon subjects it makes little difference but as one discusses more remote places, less detail with just a few token detailed crumbs ought be offered. Thus have a strong dislike for photography information and books that make guides like the Photograph America series by Robert Hinchcliffe. In any case sadly there is nothing to stop such practice and a ready army of people willing to turn a buck however they might.

FAQ on NPS site:
Where can I camp? Petrified Forest does not have a campround and does not allow overnight parking.

The place for sunrise and sunset is out on the northern overlooks of the Painted Desert but as the below shows, road hours prevent that. However one can walk in from a few places by studying a topo. The minimum distance from roads in the backcountry is the usual mile. Their overnight backpacking program has rather restricted trailhead parking without flexibility so there are many areas just a mile or so from roads that are far further than where one may park to backpack to them.

Park Road Hours:
Jan 1-Feb 21, 2015 8am-5pm
Feb 22-Apr 4, 2015 7am-6:30pm
Apr 5-May 2, 2015 7am-7pm
May 3-May 30, 2015 7am-7:30pm
May 31-July 25, 2015 7am-8pm
July 26-Aug 22, 2015 7am-7:30pm
Aug 23-Sept 19, 2015 7am-7pm
Sept 20-Oct 31, 2015 7am to 6pm
Nov 1-Dec 31, 2015 8am to 5pm

I have only visited the park once in 2013 and found it to have vast areas where almost no one goes much less those carrying tripods. Thus with a bit of topo map analysis and then some hiking, one will find many pristine subjects where one will not see any footprints of others. One of the most photographically productive national parks I've visited and also least explored by serious photographers. This is similar to many other desert and arid region parks in the Southwest where most people including photographers are afraid to venture off from roads more than shouting distance.

http://www.davidsenesa​c.com/Gallery_B/13-A-3.jpg

http://www.davidsenesa​c.com/Gallery_B/13-A-17.jpg

Real headache but the park opens after sunrise. You can stay until sunset but need to have a plan to beat feet back to your car. Sunset was at 6:57 and park close is at 7pm right now. It changes with the season. you need to be in your car and on the road by the close time or you can get yelled at and/or a ticket.