When Woody Guthrie sang of the redwood forests, he was almost definitely thinking of the mighty trees of California that stand tall against the subtropical forest that surrounds them near the coast — but you know, there is a small chance he was talking about our very own Cowboy State. Did you know there were once towering redwoods in Wyoming? In fact, you can see the remnants of them today in the petrified forest of Yellowstone, which is home to 55 million-year-old trees.
More than 50 million years ago, Wyoming’s landscape was flourishing with a variety of trees, when a series of volcanic eruptions from the Absaroka Range buried them in ash.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman
The ash covered the trees and petrified them under the soil, while new forests grew in their place.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman Over thousands of years, this cycle repeated, until there were several layers of petrified trees under the earth. Millions of years later, these trees are exposed thanks to erosion by wind and water.
Today, you can hike up and around Specimen Ridge and see these 55 million-year-old fossilized trees for yourself.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman The Petrified Forest trail is a short but steep 3.5-mile hike up the ridge that shows off breathtaking views, stunning wildflowers, and incredible history.
The petrified forest is one of the most breathtaking things you’ll encounter in Wyoming — take a look, and you’ll be seeing back in time.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman As you climb higher in the ridge, you’ll encounter more and more petrified trees. There are dozens of layers of the forest to discover.
One particular redwood has been preserved by the park — it is aptly named the Petrified Tree.
AllTrails / Tim Ackelmire It has been preserved as part of the Park for more than 100 years.
It takes a short, steep hike to see the tree, and the access road is 1.5 miles east of Tower Junction.
AllTrails / Mitchell Krasnoloper Follow the access road south of the Lamar River Bridge and you’ll find it easily. Sometimes, rangers from Tower Junction lead guided tours.
This beautiful piece of history is certainly worth checking out! It’s a short walk from your car, and who would have thought you could see a redwood in Wyoming, after all?
AllTrails / JS Allen The Petrified Tree is now protected by a fence, as the other trees that were once here were irreparably damaged by tourists. Please be respectful of your environment in the park so that others may continue to enjoy it for centuries to come.
You can read more about the Petrified Forest on the Yellowstone website, here. Both the Petrified Tree and Petrified Forest can be found near the Tower Junction Ranger Station.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman
Over thousands of years, this cycle repeated, until there were several layers of petrified trees under the earth. Millions of years later, these trees are exposed thanks to erosion by wind and water.
The Petrified Forest trail is a short but steep 3.5-mile hike up the ridge that shows off breathtaking views, stunning wildflowers, and incredible history.
As you climb higher in the ridge, you’ll encounter more and more petrified trees. There are dozens of layers of the forest to discover.
AllTrails / Tim Ackelmire
It has been preserved as part of the Park for more than 100 years.
AllTrails / Mitchell Krasnoloper
Follow the access road south of the Lamar River Bridge and you’ll find it easily. Sometimes, rangers from Tower Junction lead guided tours.
AllTrails / JS Allen
The Petrified Tree is now protected by a fence, as the other trees that were once here were irreparably damaged by tourists. Please be respectful of your environment in the park so that others may continue to enjoy it for centuries to come.
Address: Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY, 82190
If you love learning about Wyoming’s history, check out The Tragic History Of Wyoming’s Most Famous Dam.
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