Louisiana, nestled between Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and the Gulf of Mexico, is a treasure trove for rock enthusiasts. However, searching for petrified wood can be frustrating and time-consuming.

We understand your struggle. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 22 top spots to find petrified wood in the Pelican State.

Skip the guesswork and head straight to these carefully researched locations. Our guide caters to both seasoned collectors and curious beginners. We’ve done the legwork so you can focus on the thrill of discovery.

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

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.

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.

Types of Petrified Wood Found Across Louisiana

Louisiana boasts a diverse array of petrified wood types, reflecting its rich geological history. The most common varieties found across the state include:

Opalized petrified wood is a prized find in Louisiana. This rare form occurs when silica-rich solutions infiltrate the wood’s structure, creating a stunning opal-like appearance with vibrant plays of color.

Petrified palm wood, Louisiana’s official state fossil, is another significant type. Dating back to the Oligocene epoch, it showcases the distinctive cellular structure of ancient palm trees, offering a glimpse into the state’s tropical past.

These unique specimens, along with other varieties, make Louisiana a fascinating destination for petrified wood enthusiasts and collectors.

The Best Locations For Finding Petrified Wood in Louisiana

Exploring the top places in the state can significantly boost your chances of finding crystals. By focusing your search on these well-regarded locations, you’ll be well on your way to uncovering some of the state’s hidden gems.

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.

Gulfport

Located in the southern part of Louisiana, Gulfport is a unique area known for its coastal charm and geological diversity. This region is not only famous for its beautiful beaches but also for the rich deposits of petrified wood in its creek beds.

The area’s geological history, shaped by both marine and terrestrial influences, creates ideal conditions for rockhounding.

While petrified wood is a highlight, collectors can also discover quartz and agates in the gravels and sands along the creeks.

The creek beds are particularly promising, as they often carry a variety of stones washed down from upstream. Fossils from the ancient marine environment can also be found, adding to the area’s allure.

Alexandria

Alexandria in Rapides Parish is located in the central part of Louisiana. This area features flat terrain with gravel pits and stream bars that are rich in alluvial deposits from ancient river systems.

These deposits create a unique environment for rockhounding, making it a treasure trove for enthusiasts. Petrified wood, along with quartz, agate, and jasper, can often be found in the gravel pits and along the banks of local streams.

The combination of sedimentary rocks and the area’s geological history enhances the chances of discovering beautiful specimens.

When exploring, focus on sifting through the gravel and sediment in these locations, as they are where the petrified wood is most likely to be uncovered.

Ouachita River

The Ouachita River, which flows through northeastern Louisiana, is a prime destination for rockhounds seeking petrified wood. The river’s gravel bars near the city of Monroe are particularly rich in this fossilized treasure.

What makes the Ouachita River area special is its unique geology. Over millions of years, the river has carved through sedimentary layers, exposing ancient deposits of petrified wood.

Periodic flooding helps uncover and redistribute these fossils, providing a constantly changing landscape for rockhounding enthusiasts.

To find petrified wood, explore the gravel bars and sandbars along the Ouachita River. The riverbed gravels often yield the best specimens, as the flowing water helps reveal these geological wonders.

With some patience and a keen eye, you can uncover amazing petrified wood samples in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek is a charming village located in the northern part of Evangeline Parish, Louisiana. Nestled in a rural landscape, it is easily accessible via U.S. Route 167.

This area is known for its natural beauty and unique geological features. The village’s proximity to natural water bodies enhances the likelihood of finding petrified wood.

Enthusiasts can explore creek beds and gravel deposits along the banks, where the flow of water may reveal these ancient treasures.

The area’s sedimentary rocks and gravel formations create ideal conditions for discovering petrified wood, inviting adventurers to dig deeper into its geological history.

Toledo Bend Reservoir

Toledo Bend Reservoir is a stunning man-made lake located in the northwest part of Louisiana, straddling the border with Texas. This expansive reservoir covers about 185,000 acres, making it the largest in the South.

Known for its rich sedimentary deposits, Toledo Bend is a prime location for finding petrified wood, particularly petrified palm wood, which is the state fossil of Louisiana.

The unique geological features of the area, shaped by the Sabine River, create ideal conditions for rockhounding.

Look for petrified wood along the shorelines and in the gravels of creeks feeding into the reservoir. After periods of low water, the exposed banks can reveal hidden treasures.

The lake’s diverse ecosystem also supports a variety of minerals and fossils, making it a favorite spot for both casual collectors and serious enthusiasts seeking to uncover the beauty of petrified wood.

Places Petrified Wood has been found by county

After discussing our top picks, we wanted to discuss the other places on our list. Below is a list of the additional locations where we have succeeded, along with a breakdown of each place by county.