Petrified Forest National Park facts.

Byline: Robert Cross

Established as a national park: Dec. 9, 1962.

Area: 93,533 acres.

Visitors: 583,904 in 2001.

Location: Eastern Arizona, 95 miles east of Flagstaff.

Flora and fauna: Reptiles and amphibians abound, including collared lizards and western rattlesnakes, tiger salamanders and Great Plains toads. Mammals range from kangaroo rats to black-tailed jackrabbits and pronghorn antelope, coyotes and prairie dogs. Ravens are common. Sparse, high-desert plateau vegetation includes cactuses, grasses, wildflowers and trees turned to stone.

Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle for seven days.

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PETRIFIED FOREST VISITORS

1919: 3,000

1920: 30,390

1930: 105,433

1940: 199,420

1950: 352,889

1960: 911,500

1970: 1,151,400

1980: 683,121

1990: 844,592

2000: 605,192

2001: 583,904

(Source: National Park Service)

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(c) 2002, Chicago Tribune.

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