Where to Find Petrified Wood in Washington

Washington petrified wood is the state's official gem. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park in Kittitas County preserves the type locality of a Miocene-age forest buried by Columbia River Basalt flows, with logs and stumps permineralized by silica and chalcedony. The park itself is closed to collecting, but the surrounding Saddle Mountain, Yakima Canyon, and Frenchman Hills areas (much of it BLM and DNR ground) yield collectable petrified wood. The colors run yellow, red, brown, and rare blue, and the wood often shows preserved cell structure under cut surfaces. Most pieces are float weathered out of basalt slope wash. The most productive ground is in Saddle Mountain (Grant County), Frenchman Hills (Grant County), Yakima Canyon BLM ground (Kittitas County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like petrified wood is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Washington, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Saddle Mountain (Grant County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Frenchman Hills (Grant County), Yakima Canyon BLM ground (Kittitas County).