This Secluded Petrified Forest In North Dakota Is So Worthy Of An Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published December 04, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
North Dakota is, in and of itself, a pretty secluded place. It’s the 47th-most populated state and, with less than one million residents, just about anywhere you go can be considered “remote” by someone. Well, even the most remote states have their “extra-remote” regions, and North Dakota is no different. Tucked within the beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park, way down in the South Unit of the park, is a strange and unique place unlike most you’ll ever experience in this world. When it comes to secluded places in North Dakota, this one might just take the cake – or the forest, anyway – for the most off-the-beaten-path spots in the state.
North Dakota is a vastly underappreciated state; for example, were you aware that it's home to the third-largest petrified forest in the United States?
It's true! Nestled within the southernmost section of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the most alien and fascinating regions of the entire state - if not the whole country.
You can even hike through the entire thing if you've got the energy: there's a delightfully adventurous 10.4-mile loop trail running through, and the best news is that it's rarely, if ever, crowded.
Petrified wood is created over time by an intriguing natural process; it happens when trees and tree stumps are rapidly covered by earth or volcanic sediment and are unable to decompose naturally.
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Once buried, mineral-rich groundwater seeps into the pores and "veins" of the tree, filling cavities and laying the groundwork for a petrified forest.
The tree's organic molecules are coated by silica, and impurities within the silica ensure some truly interesting colors throughout the wood. The trees in these cases quite literally turn to stone, resulting in the highly unique preservation of the forest's remains.
You're bound to run into some interesting characters, like wandering bison or wild horses. Sometimes, you can spot deer and antelope as well. We strongly suggest making sure you bring a camera; you never know just how many critters you'll run into 'round these parts!
To access the petrified forest, you'll have to come through Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
As of the time of this writing, park fees are $30 per car or $15 per person who arrives on foot. You can also opt to purchase an annual park pass for just $55, which is perfect for folks who'd like to come back again and again (we definitely do not blame them).
Should you decide to trek all of (or part of) the trail that runs through the petrified forest, it will take you anywhere from two to ten hours, depending on just how far you decide to go.
