Situated in the north-eastern region of Arizona in the United States, Petrified Forest National Park offers you a unique travel experience. Due to the vast deposition of petrified wood in the area, the park lets you go beyond the ordinary and explore the wonders of nature.
Surrounded by enormous grasslands and rocky terrains, Petrified Forest National Park is like no other place on earth. In case you want to escape the mundane and indulge in a surreal adventure, Petrified Forest National Park awaits.
Read this guide until the end to know about adventurous activities, must-visit spots, travel guidelines, and information about travel insurance plans. Before traveling to Arizona, book a visitors medical insurance or travel insurance to ward off potentially expensive mishaps.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Petrified Forest National Park - FAQs
Booking a visitors medical insurance plan may seem unnecessary. After all, no one expects to fall sick on a trip. However, accidents occur when you least expect them. If you are not insured, you could lose a lot of money due to your treatment. To make sure that you can avail the best medical facilities without worrying about financial consequences, book a visitors medical insurance plan.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Petrified Forest National Park?
The rock surfaces in Petrified Forest National Park are very fragile and steep. You may encounter an accident while hiking. There are also drastic temperature changes. It can be extremely hot one day and bitterly cold the next. You may fall sick due to such drastic changes in temperature. While all these conditions are treatable, a hospital will charge you heavily. Book a visitors medical insurance plan so that you do not have to worry about covering expensive hospital bills.
What should I look for in my Petrified Forest National Park visitors medical insurance?
- Your visitors medical insurance plan should cover injuries that occurred during adventurous activities.
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition that may cause complications, it is ideal to check that your plan has provisions to cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
- You may get injured and stranded at a remote location. Look for a plan that has provisions to cover emergency medical evacuation to help you get transported to the nearest medical facility that can provide adequate treatment.
A private medical facility can charge you heavily for treatment. To avoid that, buy a visitors medical insurance plan and avoid huge financial losses.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Petrified Forest National Park - FAQs
Pre-booked flights and hotels cost a lot. Most of the time, they are not refundable. If you have to cancel your trip due to an emergency, you are looking at a financial catastrophe, unless you have a trip cancellation insurance plan. A trip cancellation insurance plan can work to cover your losses in case the trip must be canceled due to a reason allowed in the policy.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Petrified Forest National Park travel?
Parts of the Petrified Forest National Park are often closed due to unsafe road conditions. There are frequent thunderstorms during summer and snowstorms during winter. If you see an alert just before you are about to start your journey, canceling the trip is the wisest decision. Weather-related emergencies are a commonly covered reason for trip cancellation, but be sure to read the plan first to confirm the reasons that are covered. To make sure that you do not lose money due to cancellation, book a trip cancellation insurance plan.
What should I look for in my Petrified Forest National Park trip cancellation insurance?
- Trip cancellation coverage for a covered reason
- Trip interruption coverage for a covered reason
- Trip delay coverage
- Missed connection coverage
- Theft or baggage loss coverage
Once you buy a travel insurance plan, your insurance company can take care of your emergency expenditures. Go through your plan's certificate wording meticulously to see what is (and isn't) covered.
Things to Do for Your Petrified Forest National Park Travel
Experience The Painted Desert Rim Trail
Beginning from the Tawa Point, this short 1-mile (about 1.6 kilometer) trail will pass through sites such as Kachina Point and Painted Desert Inn. This scenic trail is an easy one to hike in winter. However, in summers, the heat can be too extreme to complete the route. The view of the Painted desert from Kachina or Tawa point is mesmerizing.
See The Historical Village Of Puerco Pueblo
The historical village of Puerco Pueblo was built by ancient Pueblo people more than 700 years ago. Today, you will witness the ruins of these old structures in this area. You should not miss visiting this site if you enjoy listening to historical stories.
Drive Past The Tepees
While driving through the Petrified Forest Road, you will encounter one of the most eye-catching parts of the park, the Tepees. These are uniquely zebra-striped mountains, and your car will pass through the meandering path as you enjoy this sight.
Take Part In The Blue Forest Hike
This 3-mile (about 4.8 kilometer) round trail will take you through the Blue Mesa region of the national park. Though the hike is not very difficult, there are no marked paths. Different colors such as blue, grey, pink, and purple decorate several parts of the hills in this region. The hike is a wonderful experience due to the ever-transforming landscape.
Go To The Jasper Forest Overlook
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Jasper Forest after hiking to the overlook. Jasper Forest has the most extensive collection of petrified wood in this national park. The sight from this viewpoint is incredible and worth the effort of hiking.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Petrified Forest National Park
Remember The Opening And Closing Hours
Petrified Forest National Park does not remain open all day like other national parks. The opening and closing hours change according to different seasons. Visit the park's official website for more detailed information.
No Lodging Or Campground In The Park
The park does not have specific campgrounds or lodging services. However, you can take permits for backcountry camping by first contacting the park authorities.
Chalk Out Your Plan Earlier
Arizona witnesses a huge flow of tourists throughout the year, who fly in chiefly to visit the Grand Canyon. You must make your bookings at least a couple of months in advance so that you don't have to struggle to find lodging or transportation services.
Avoid Taking Petrified Wood To Your Home
Petrified Forest National Park is a government preserved area. So, you should not take any piece of petrified wood from the park boundaries. If you are caught bagging petrified wood, then you will need to pay a fine or receive legal punishment.
Book Travel Insurance Plans
Before traveling, make sure that you have a visitors medical insurance plan or a trip cancellation insurance plan. This is what experienced travelers do to prevent spending on healthcare and non-refundable cancellations.
Before You Travel to Petrified Forest National Park - Do This
You are almost prepared for your trip to Petrified Forest National Park. Before you go, consider these suggestions.
- Do not visit during Christmas. Petrified Forest National Park always remains closed on December 25.
- Always check the weather report and forecast from a trusted source before you travel.
- Last but not the least, buy adequate travel insurance coverage. Once you purchase a travel insurance plan, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about losing money due to an unforeseen emergency.