Join us at the CAST Senior Center every Tuesday afternoon for our free virtual programs! Everyone is welcome to attend, and no preregistration is required. Presented by the Senior Learning Network. Petrified Forest National Park is located in the greater Painted Desert—they are not two separate parks. While the Painted Desert encompasses about 1500 square miles, the park is over 200,000 acres—and not desert! Actually the main environment is short-grass prairie or intermountain-basin, semi-arid grassland. It is dry here, but there is snow in the winter and rain during the monsoon. Explore with us both the nature and history of this fascinating place from prehistoric peoples to the Civilian Conservation Corps. From early explorers to Route 66 motorists, the park has many stories to tell!