Uranium mining adjacent to Petrified Forest National Monument, Arizona
— William L. Chenoweth

During the uranium boom of the 1950s, prospectors located uranium-bearing outcrops, staked claims, and leased state and private lands adjacent to the Petrified Forest National Monument. Eight properties made ore shipments. The uranium was mined from sandstone beds in the Sonsela Member of the Chinle Formation of Upper Triassic age. Total ore production was 1178 tons that averaged 0.20% uranium oxide and 0.25% vanadium oxide. All of the mines are now within the administrative boundary of the Petrified Forest National Park.