Petrified Forest

Museum Demonstration Lab

Interior of a labratory with decorative curtains and two tables with fossils on them.
Inside view of the Museum Demonstration Lab where scientists work on projects from Petrified Forest National Park's museum collection, such as fossils and artifacts.

NPS Photo / Diana Boudreau

Visitors Welcome!

Open Wednesday through Saturday* from 9 am to 3 pm.

*Starting November 20, 2024, the Demo Lab will be open Wednesday - Friday.

The Museum Demonstration Lab at the Painted Desert Visitor Center is where you can see one-of-a-kind fossils from Petrified Forest National Park being prepared by trained paleontologists! Peek through the window to see fossils from the museum collection. Watch a live microscope feed on the TV as paleontologists remove rock from fossil bone. Chat with scientists via a two-way, hands-free speaker.

Demo Lab will be closed the following days:
Thursday November 28 - Thanksgiving Day
Wednesday December 25 - Christmas Day
Wednesday January 1, 2025 - New Years Day

 
 
 
Join Petrified Forest Paleontologists for a "Day in the Life"
An 8 part mini-series created for a virtual National Fossil Day event to show what happens to a fossil from grave to cradle.

Become a Junior Paleontologist!
Discover, learn about, and protect park fossils by completing the activity booklet and earn your Junior Paleontologist badge.

Celebrate National Fossil Day at Petrified Forest
See what events are happening at Petrified Forest for the annual National Fossil Day celebration.

Small but Mighty: Petrified Forest National Park's Public Fossil Preparation Lab Grows Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
A brief article highlighting the changes to the Museum Demonstration Lab during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond!
 

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Last updated: October 26, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Petrified Forest National Park
P.O. Box 2217
Attn.:

Petrified Forest, AZ 86028-2217

Phone:

928 524-6228

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