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. Have you ever wondered, “Are there redwoods at Yellowstone?” The answer is, yes, although what you’ll find today is only a remnant of what once was a towering collection of redwoods in Wyoming. You can explore what’s left of them today in the Dry Creek 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.

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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. Both the Petrified Tree and Petrified Forest can be found near the Tower Junction Ranger Station. If you love learning about Wyoming’s history, check out the fascinating and tragic history of this famous Wyoming dam.

Yellowstone really is a stunning place to explore. Fall in love with the scenery and grandeur of this iconic national park when you watch the aerial footage below:

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dry creek petrified forest

Beth C. | May 10, 2023

What are some of the best hikes at Yellowstone National Park?

With tumbling waterfalls, epic canyons, bubbling geysers, and beautiful wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is a must-visit for every outdoor enthusiast. And one of the best ways to experience all that this mighty park has to offer is by hiking through it. Of course, the options can be a bit overwhelming, given the fact that the park has nearly 1,000 miles of trails. Below we've listed some of the best hikes at Yellowstone National Park:

  • Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
  • Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
  • Lone Star Geyser Trail
  • Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
  • North Rim Trail
  • Uncle Tom's Trail
  • Fairy Falls Trail
  • Storm Point Trail
  • Trout Lake Loop
  • Bunraven Pass to Mount Washburn Trail
  • Bunsen Peak Trail
  • Avalance Peak Trail
  • Point Sublime via Artist Point Trail

 

What are some easy hikes in Wyoming?

Wyoming is filled with epic hikes, many of which should only be attempted by the most experienced hikers. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and family-friendly trails in Wyoming to enjoy too:

  • Clear Lake Artist's Point Loop Trail, Yellowstone National Park
  • Mud Volcano, Yellowstone National Park
  • 3 State Corners, Pine Bluff, Wyoming
  • Imperial Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
  • Vedauwoo Trail, Medicine Bow National Forest
  • Artist Paint Pots, Yellowstone National Park
  • Independence Rock, State Route 220, Alcova, Wyoming
  • Upper Geyser Basin to Old Faithful Observation Point, Yellowstone National Park
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
  • Wind River Canyon, between Shoshoni and Thermopolis, Wyoming
  • Rainbow Lake, Forest Road 120, Cody, Wyoming
  • Mammoth Hot Springs, near Yellowstone National Park
  • Devil's Tower Trail, Sundance, Wyoming
  • Tower Falls Trail, Yellowstone National Park

 

Curious to learn more about the above trails? Learn more about why each belongs on your outdoor hiking bucket list for Wyoming.

 

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