Exploring the state’s rugged terrain offers a unique opportunity to discover petrified wood, a fossilized treasure from ancient forests. With the right tips, you’ll be ready to embark on your own adventure and uncover these fascinating remnants of prehistoric life.
Knowing where to look and what to expect will increase your chances of spotting these remarkable pieces scattered across this great state’s terrain!
Petrified wood you can find in the US
In the United States, several types of petrified wood can be found, each with unique characteristics based on the original tree species and the minerals involved in the fossilization process. Here are some of the types you’ll be able to find.
Araucarioxylon
Found in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, this is one of the most famous types of petrified wood. It comes from an extinct species of conifer. As Arizona’s state fossil, Araucarioxylon holds a special place in the state’s natural history.
These trees once formed vast forests during the Late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago. The vibrant colors in this petrified wood come from minerals that replaced the original tree material over time.
Metasequoia
Often referred to as dawn redwood, this type of petrified wood can be found in various parts of the U.S., including the Pacific Northwest. Metasequoia was once thought to be extinct until living trees were later discovered in China.
Furthermore, its fine grain and reddish-brown color are characteristic features.
Palmoxylon
This petrified wood originates from palm trees and is often found in the Gulf Coast states like Texas and Louisiana. Recognized as the state stone of Texas, Palmoxylon is abundant and holds cultural significance.
The wood’s unique speckled or dotted pattern comes from the vascular bundles of the original palm tree. These fossils date back to the Cretaceous period, when the area was tropical and teeming with life.
Taxodium
Also known as bald cypress, this petrified wood can be found in the southeastern U.S., particularly in areas that were once swampy. Taxodium wood is often found in places that were ancient swamps, where these trees thrived millions of years ago.
The wood is durable and shows intricate grain patterns, with growth rings and knotholes that tell the story of its long history. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the wet environments that once dominated the Southeast.
Sequoioxylon
Petrified wood from ancient sequoia trees, found in places like California, where sequoia forests once thrived. These trees are the ancestors of the giant sequoias that still stand in California today.
The petrified wood is notable for its large, straight grain and reddish color, reflecting the immense size and age of the original trees.
Ginkgoxylon
Petrified wood from ancient ginkgo trees, which can sometimes be found in states like Oregon and Washington. Ginkgo is one of the oldest tree species on Earth, with fossils dating back over 200 million years.
Ginkgo petrified wood often has a light color and may show patterns similar to the fan-shaped leaves of the living ginkgo.
Dicotyledonous Wood
Found across various states, this type of petrified wood comes from broadleaf trees, making it more common and varied in appearance. You can spot dicotyledonous wood by the distinct vessels and growth rings that indicate seasonal changes.
This type of petrified wood is often found in regions that were once temperate forests, offering clues about the diverse plant life that existed millions of years ago.
Piceoxylon
Petrified wood from ancient spruce trees, commonly found in areas like Wyoming and Montana, where coniferous forests once thrived. Piceoxylon is known for its straight grain and pale color, often showing growth rings that tell the tree’s life story.
These trees were part of the ancient boreal forests that covered large parts of North America during cooler periods.
A Quick Request About Collecting
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
What Rough Petrified Wood Looks Like
Most of the photos you find of petrified wood are pieces that have been cut and polished. That is certainly useful but isn’t super helpful once you are out in the field. This is what you should look out for once you start hunting:
Exteriors like this
Every type of petrified wood has a different exterior and pattern but this is a good starting point on what to look for.
Texture and grain patterns
One of the most distinctive features to look for is the texture and grain patterns. Petrified wood often retains the original structure of the tree, including the grain, knots, and even growth rings. These patterns can appear similar to modern wood but are typically more rigid and fossilized.
Examine the surface for any linear patterns or striations that indicate the original wood grain. The texture may feel smoother or more polished in certain areas where mineralization has created a glassy effect.
Coloration and mineralization
The color of petrified wood can vary significantly due to the minerals that replaced the organic material during the fossilization process. Common colors include shades of brown, red, yellow, orange, and black.
Some pieces might even exhibit multiple colors in intricate patterns. These colors are often more vivid and diverse than those found in regular rocks. When inspecting potential petrified wood, look for these distinct and varied hues, which can indicate the presence of different minerals such as silica, iron, manganese, and others that contributed to the petrification process.
Bark and exterior features
Another telltale sign of petrified wood is the presence of bark impressions or external textures that resemble tree bark. These features are often well-preserved and can include the rough, fibrous texture of bark, knots, or other surface irregularities typical of natural wood.
The exterior of rough petrified wood may also have a weathered appearance, with cracks and fractures that occurred as the wood fossilized over millions of years. Look closely for these natural wood features, as they can be a strong indicator that you have found a piece of petrified wood.
Weight and density
Petrified wood is typically much heavier and denser than regular wood due to the mineralization process. When rockhounding, pick up the specimen to feel its weight. Even small pieces of petrified wood will feel significantly heavier than an equivalent-sized piece of non-fossilized wood.
This increased density is due to the replacement of organic material with minerals, making petrified wood feel more like a rock than wood. Comparing the weight and density of your find with known samples of petrified wood can help confirm its authenticity.
- The extensive local experience of our team
- Input from a variety of local rockhounds and rockhound groups
- The difficulty in accessing a location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Private and public locations
- A desire to include locations for both the experienced and newbie hunters who are just starting out
Using these inputs we think we’ve put together the best list out there for those who love finding petrified wood for our collections!
General Areas To Try First
Before we get into the specific places you should be looking we wanted to give you some more general advice. Once you get to your hunting area you should head straight for these areas if you want to have the best results:
Lakeshores
Lakeshores are like natural garbage cans because all things wash up and get left there over time. That includes wood that has turned to stone. As the water rises and falls, it carries sediment and rocks. It also takes the fossilized remains of trees from long ago.
Most lakeshores have a variety of rocks and minerals, which makes them an excellent place for petrified wood to grow and thrive. You’ll find a nice mix of sedimentary and volcanic rocks, the best sites for preserving wood fossils.
Roadcuts
When building roads, parts of the ground are often cut away to make a smooth path. The magic happens when the road cuts through layers of rock and soil. Petrified wood is often buried deep underground, and roadcuts let us see these underground wonders.
As workers blast through the rock layers, they accidentally find petrified wood that has been there for hundreds of years. Petrified wood is easy for collectors to spot because the exposed rock layers of roadcuts make it easy to see its unique patterns and colors.
Streams and creeks
Streams and creeks can move loose sediment away, which can reveal old wood that has turned to stone. As the water moves around, it exposes small pieces or even more significant amounts of petrified wood that have settled on the streambed.
Streams and creeks are more accessible for collectors because they are not as big. You can easily walk along their banks, jump from rock to rock, and look for petrified wood at the water’s edge.
River beds
Riverbeds are excellent for finding petrified wood due to their unique geological and environmental conditions. Rapid burial by sediments like sand, silt, and mud protects fallen trees from decay, initiating the fossilization process.
Mineral-rich waters flowing through rivers facilitate the replacement of organic material with minerals such as silica, turning wood into stone. Over time, erosion exposes these buried treasures, making them accessible for discovery.
This dynamic environment, with constant sediment deposition and mineral infiltration, creates ideal conditions for the formation and eventual exposure of petrified wood.
The tools every petrified wood hunter will need
When you're out looking for petrified wood having the right tools for the job is really going to make or break your success. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.
We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced petrified wood hunters which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding tools and kit guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.
Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.
At a minimum you should have:
1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard
2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set
3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well
4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill
5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable
6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to
7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect
The petrified wood-finding books that we use most
There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Southwest Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Southwestern Quadrant
We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.
The Best Places To Find Petrified Wood In New Mexico
Here’s a list of the best places to look for petrified wood in New Mexico. Although rockhounding in New Mexico is broader, you can also try it out for more chances of finding petrified wood.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Fra Cristobal Range
The Fra Cristobal Range boasts a diverse and intriguing geology. It has an exciting mix of sedimentary and volcanic rock formations that have changed over millions of years. This variety of geology creates the perfect conditions for petrified wood to last, making it a haven for people who love fossils.
The range is in a place with a lot of beautiful natural scenery. The tall mountains, beautiful valleys, and winding streams make for a beautiful place to explore. Its rough slopes and bare cliffs make it a thrilling adventure for those who want to find hidden treasures.
Where we found petrified wood at the Fra Cristobal Range
The mountains themselves are known to contain petrified wood specimens. Exploring the slopes and valleys within the range may yield exciting finds.
Erosion and natural processes have also exposed petrified wood in washes and creek beds that flow through or near the Fra Cristobal Range.
Before bringing your petrified wood home, know the latest rules about collecting in New Mexico.
Mt. Chalchihuitl
This remarkable mountain offers a fascinating blend of geology, geography, and terrain, making it an ideal location for discovering ancient treasures.
Mt. Chalchihuitl comprises sedimentary rock formations, which show that the area has a long geological history. As layers of sediment build up over time, they bury fallen trees in a way that makes them the perfect place for petrified wood to form.
The mountain rises majestically, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Its location within the diverse terrain of New Mexico adds to its appeal, with rolling hills, picturesque valleys, and winding streams creating a scenic backdrop for fossil hunting.
Where we found petrified wood at Mt. Chalchihuitl
Exploring the mountainside and slopes of Mt. Chalchihuitl may allow you to discover petrified wood. Look for exposed rock formations or areas where erosion has occurred, as these can expose fossilized specimens.
Ojo Alamo Formation
The sedimentary rocks that make up the Ojo Alamo Formation were formed in the late Cretaceous about 73 million years ago. These rocks were made in a place that used to be a floodplain, where rivers built up layers of sediments over time.
The Ojo Alamo Formation is an excellent place to look for petrified wood because it has a lot of fossils. The ancient floodplain was the perfect place for trees to stay alive and become stone over millions of years.
Because of this, many well-preserved pieces of petrified wood can tell us about the ancient plants and the area’s geological history.
Where we found petrified wood at the Ojo Alamo Formation
This vast and scenic wilderness area is part of the Ojo Alamo Formation and is known for its unique geological features and petrified wood deposits.
You can explore washes, dry creek beds, and areas around the formation where water has flowed can increase the chances of finding petrified wood specimens.
Mud Springs Mountain
Mud Springs Mountain comprises layers of sedimentary rock that were formed long ago. These rock layers tell the story of the area’s long geological past and make it easy for petrified wood to stay in place.
It’s an excellent place to look for petrified wood because of its geological history. Petrified wood is all left of the ancient forests that grew in the area.
Mud Springs Mountain has rough slopes, rocky outcroppings, and washes now and then. As erosion and weathering reveal ancient treasures hidden in the mountainside, these unique features make it possible to find pieces of petrified wood.
Where we found petrified wood at Mud Springs Mountain
The slopes and hillsides of Mud Springs Mountain can offer opportunities for petrified wood discoveries. Erosion and weathering can expose fragments or larger specimens of petrified wood once buried within the mountain.
Zuni Mountain
Zuni Mountain comprises many different kinds of rocks, such as sandstones, shales, and limestones. These rock layers show the area’s long geological history and make it easy for petrified wood to stay in place.
The mountain range stands tall and gives breathtaking views of the landscapes around it. Its location in New Mexico, with its rolling hills, lush valleys, and clean rivers, makes it even more appealing. This makes it a great place to go fossil hunting.
Where we found petrified wood at Zuni Mountain
Exploring the slopes and creek beds of Zuni Mountain can offer opportunities for finding petrified wood. Erosion and weathering can expose fragments or larger specimens of petrified wood once buried within the mountain.
Other Great Places To Find New Mexico Petrified Wood
We’ll provide you with a list of more fantastic spots in New Mexico where you can discover petrified wood after making our recommendations for the best areas to find them. To make things simpler, we’ve arranged them according to county.
| County | Location |
| Union | Tri-State Marker |
| McKinley | Willow Springs |
General Areas You Should Try
We want to ensure your search is successful because New Mexico is large. It’s crucial to search for the key and pay attention to locations where petrified wood is frequently found.
Petrified forests
Collectors looking for petrified wood treasures love to go to petrified forests. These old forests have been kept safe for millions of years and are full of fossils. These forests used to be full of tall trees, but now they are full of petrified wood.
Petrified forests often contain a variety of petrified wood types. Because of the many fallen trees and branches that turned into stone, collectors have much to choose from.
Streams and creeks
Streams and creeks are fantastic places for collectors to find petrified wood treasures. These flowing bodies of water offer unique opportunities for the discovery of fossilized wonders.
Streams and creeks help water get where it needs to go. As the water flows, the land around it slowly wears away, revealing treasures hidden in the sediments. This erosion process brings to the surface pieces or even whole pieces of petrified wood that were once buried below the surface.
Volcanic regions
Volcanic regions are fascinating and fruitful locations for collectors searching for petrified wood. These areas, shaped by volcanic activity, offer unique opportunities to discover remarkable fossilized wonders.
Most places with volcanoes have a lot of different minerals and elements. During the petrification process, these minerals get into the buried wood. This gives the petrified wood its bright colors and unique patterns. The fantastic beauty of the fossilized wood is partly due to its location in a volcanic area.
Common Questions About Finding Petrified Wood In New Mexico
It’s essential to answer the following questions that are often asked about petrified wood in New Mexico.
How old is petrified wood in New Mexico
The age of petrified wood in New Mexico depends on where it is and the geology. Most of the petrified wood in New Mexico is from the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods, which happened between 208 and 180 million years ago. The ancient forests that grew in this area are still there.
Can you find petrified palm wood in New Mexico
Yes, petrified palm wood can be found in New Mexico. Petrified palm wood is the fossilized remains of old palm trees that have turned to stone through the process of petrification, in which minerals replace the organic material.
The Best Places To Buy Petrified Wood In New Mexico
Not everyone likes going outdoors and looking for petrified wood all day. Sometimes, you only need a single piece to display or add to your collection. Here’s a list of rock shops where you can buy petrified wood:
- Ancient of Days – 127 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203
- Casa Grande Trading Post – 17 Waldo St, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010
- Meteorite, Mineral, and Fossil Gallery – 110 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Trina’s Rock Shop – 1812 Columbus Rd, Deming, NM 88030
- Touchstone Gallery – 127 W San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
