Petrified Forest National Park in Apache County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Highway of Dreams

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016

1. Highway of Dreams Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Petrified Forest is the only National Park in the country with a portion of Historic Route 66 within its boundaries.

You are currently standing where the Mother Road used to be, with the line of telephone poles paralleling its alignment through the park. This stretch of Route 66 was open from 1926 until 1958 and was the primary way millions of travelers initially experienced Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. Imagine driving to this spot in the 1932 Studebaker before you, when this road was in its heyday!

Background photo: junction of Route 66 and the north park road, July 1951

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list.

Location. 35° 3.075′ N, 109° 48.319′ W. Marker is in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, in Apache County. Marker is at the intersection of Petrified Forest Road and Old U.S. Route 66, on the right when traveling south on

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Petrified Forest Road. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west side of Petrified Forest Road, just north of an Interstate 40 overpass with no exit. Access to this marker is from the Interstate 40 (Painted Desert) Petrified Forest National Park entrance (about 6 miles) or from the US Highway 180 park entrance (about 23 miles south). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petrified Forest Natl Pk AZ 86028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Painted Desert (approx. 0.8 miles away); Early Explorers (approx. 1.2 miles away); A Gap in the Geologic Record (approx. 1.4 miles away); Painted Desert Community Complex Historic District (approx. 1.8 miles away); A Painted Park (approx. 2 miles away); Desert Vistas (approx. 2.1 miles away); Over the Edge (approx. 2.4 miles away); Painted Desert Inn (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petrified Forest National Park.

More about this marker. This marker replaced an older "Route 66" marker at the same location.

Also see . . . Historic Route 66. Traces of an old roadbed and weathered telephone poles mark the path of the famous "Main Street of America." Petrified Forest National Park is the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66. Driving west on Route 66, in the heart

Marker detail: Painted Desert Tower image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Painted Desert Tower

Constructed in 1953 and demolished in 1958, the tower used to stand behind you on former private land within the park boundary. One could climb the tower for commanding views of Route 66 and the surrounding area.

of the Painted Desert, one could see a pink edifice glimmering in the clear air. After long hours of travel, here was a special place to take a break, stretch your legs, sip a cold drink, and admire the view. Painted Desert Inn welcomed all with an air of hospitality and allure. (Submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Painted Desert Park (The Lion Farm) image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Painted Desert Park (The Lion Farm)

Established in the 1920s, facilities eventually expanded to include a roadside zoo complete with lions. This business, now demolished, competed directly with its nearby neighbor, the Painted Desert Inn.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016

4. Highway of Dreams Marker

(1932 Studebaker and old Route 66 in background)

1932 Studebaker on “Route 66” image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 21, 2016

5. 1932 Studebaker on “Route 66”

(in front of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 181 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.