The Petrified Forest

Rebecca Ellsworth

2024-04

So interesting walking the short distance around this forest of beautiful trees mixed with their fossilized ancestors. So amazing to see and feel these giants turned to stone. The information about the history and discovery of this place was fascinating.Restrooms: The restrooms are very clean and comfortable and not like some of the other mountain parksPicnic area: Nice area to picnic and enjoy the scenery before or after the visit.

Prashant Gandhi

2024-05

An interesting detour from all the wine drinking in Napa Valley. The old trees are a sight to behold. There's a very nice rocks & gems shop nearby which would be a treat for the kids.

pradeep kala

2024-01

To those who love watching the wonders of nature this is a place worth seeing.The petrified forest is well maintained and described. In the booking counter you are welcomed and along you get a literature wherein various points are nicely mentioned along with a brief history attached to different points.Various petrified tree trunks, volcanic Ash etc. can be seen and while leaving you get an opportunity to buy souvenirs of various related items.Overall a good experience.

Alyse Harris

2023-12

This was a very unique place to visit. The short trip around the trail is about half a mile with an additional short loop. Each area has signs with information about the trees and the process. Staff was friendly and full of information. Totally worth a visit if you are in the area.

Karin Yamaki

2023-10

It is very short but pleasant walk among interesting pieces of history. I wouldn’t call petrified forest but just petrified trees considering the very few well kept and preserved trees. Who became entities in the place and each one has a special designation and nick name. My husband and I with no hurry, making all stops possible taking lots of pics and reading all plates and following the map, took not more than 1 hour and 30 min to finish the both trails.It left us the sensation that under our feet there were many other trees in all region where the real petrified forest is.Dog-friendliness: Leashed dogs are welcome to visit the propertyPicnic area: It is outside the paid area, some tables and benches behind the parking place

Melinda Antirien

2023-06

First off... great place! If you go from Safari West..do it! So close!! Now... if you are disabled that need a mobility scooter or chair, sorry. I just would look in the cool for shop and the main grounds. This IS actually the forest on a hill. There's a huge walking path, but it's steep and bumpy. No concrete until the last portion, and it's almost straight down. So.. keep that in mind, but try to go if you can! So neat and beautiful!

Arry Murphey

2023-12

Fossils are impressive, reasonably priced, it's a nice walk, and very well maintained. They have a nice picnic area and clean bathrooms.Restrooms: CleanDog-friendliness: We were allowed to take a dog on leashPicnic area: Nice, well maintained, grassy area with a big oak tree, picnic tables, and trash/ recycle bins.

Eric Shaffer

2023-10

Worth the two (fairly easy) half- mile loop hikes. Unique and enjoyable blast from the past... literally 😆! Naturalist answered questions and fleshed out the interesting history.

Joshua Engberg

2023-06

Absolutely loved coming here, wasn't expecting much, but it delivered much more than I imagined. The hike was very leasurely and enjoyable. The self guided tour was awesome and we saw a lot of very interesting things. Would highly recommend this for any local or visiter as well. Lots of very cool geology to enjoy.

Barbara Gulten

2023-06

What a gem! This is such a find - I visited based on a friend’s suggestion and thanked him immediately. Between wine tastings we visited this museum/park and had a great experience. You don’t need more than an hour to visit it and get to see petrified trees that are remnants from 3000+ yrs ago. The story of how these huge trees got petrified and buried by volcanic ash and then got discovered thousands of years later is just miraculous. Nature, science, luck, and humans all in one spot. The plaques do a good job of conveying the story and labeling things. And some deer too and some unique trees with red bark. Also on one of the short hikes you can see Mt Helena in the distance. Very low key, not bustling with too many people and very peaceful. We had a great experience. The hike paths were nice and easy - you can do them just wearing sneakers. Only one small section warns against wheelchair use, rest is accessible to all. Go visit and get your mind blown!

Joseph Dalessandro

2023-11

Another fun place to visit. Nice easy trails. Storyboards explain the process of how the trees became petrified. Very cool store.

Ron Ray

2023-06

It’s rather small, but it’s not every day you can actually see a 3.4M year old tree. If you like to think about the past and what it might have been like at the time of a volcanic eruption there is no better place.

josh qaszq

2024-02

Awesome place! Really cool to see 3.4 million year old trees. There are two short hiking trails, both of which are 0.5 miles in length. One is a 0.5 mile loop and the other is a 0.25 mile out and back trail off of the loop. Definitely bring a map with you so you can read the background info at each numbered stop! There is also a pretty nice gift shop with drinks, and flush toilets near the entrance.

Jeff B (Jeffery)

2022-06

Fair price for such an amazing glimpse of history. All for $12 for adults and $6 for kids you will get to see and learn all about petrified wood and what causes it. The trail is easy and well kept and the signs provide all the education you could need. We didn't go for the tour, but pretty sure that would have been the icing on the cake.Bring water, oh and use the nice bathrooms before you take off the trail.

Timothy Crowhurst

2024-04

I have pasted by this place so many times. My wife and I stopped finally. It was amazing to walk the paths and see nature. The information boards and pamphlets answered so many questions. Beautiful views of the surrounding area, plants and wildlife. This is a must stop now.Restrooms: Very clean

Pamela Kruse-Buckingham

2023-06

This is a must see place with the biggest petrified trees in the world. The 20 minute easy hikes takes you up into the forest and across ancient ash flows that look like concrete. Throughout the hike are many different petrified trees. For more intrepid folks, there is another 20 minute loop to the meadow.This is a private family owned park with an affordable admittance fee. They committed to supporting & sharing this natural wonder. There are nice clean restrooms, picnic tables, and a gift shop with cold drinks.There were naturalists available that could answer our questions. They were very knowledgeable!After our hike we enjoyed a cold soda under the shade of a 600+ year old Oak tree.An extra bonus: we were able to bring our leashed dog.Wear sturdy shoes - the trail is good and wide, but has lots of stones. I regretted wearing sandals.It was 95° the day we were there. There is plenty of shade on the trail and several well placed benches if you need a rest.

marius burger

2024-05

Fantastic scenery and definitely worth the $12 entrance fee. Much better value than any of the overrated wine tastings. Note you buy tickets at the site.

Danielle Mayes

2024-04

The Petrified Forest hands-down had the best gift shop of any places that I visited during my time in California!Their prices were so reasonable and they had such high quality items for sale. The sweatshirt that I bought there is still one of my favorites, and I wear it all the time!

Niaz Nafea

2024-02

The ticket is good value. This seems like a wonderful place for someone into nature and geology, or for families to come visit. The views are nice, and it's pretty even on foggy and rainy days. The workers are nice too.

Frances Sanderson

2021-06

My husband and I found this by accident, and we're glad we did. Several trails, less than a half mile in distance. Great bit of history for the nature lover in all of us. Gift shop is only open for window shopping due to Covid restrictions.

Joel Chiara

2023-10

Interesting little park the petrification process is interesting. To call it a petrified forest is a stretch. There are a few specimens on display which are neat.Restrooms: Yes they have them.Dog-friendliness: As far as I know.Picnic area: Yes they have them.

Katrina Truesdale

2023-06

This place was so cool. I love the history of it. It's not a bad little 1 mile hike.

Dawn Thompson

2019-06

We enjoyed touring this unique site. You need to be able to hike through to see all of the sites; limited if you are in a wheelchair. Take the time to read the brochure and take a stroll to soak up all of the interesting views.

Dzmitry Mik

2021-06

That is AMAZING!WONDERFUL place! Magic is everywhere!The trees are still irradiate energy of love and they are alive but in different form that we used to. When you touch petrified tree you feel it. They even talk to you but in order to hear their voice you need to open your heart first. Only with open heart you can get access to secret knowledge of the Universe and Petrified Forest is the place where secrets of Nature and Universe are open to the public.It is a great place for deep meditation - go far away from roads and people and find your Devine place in the forest. It is worth it.Highly recommended ⭐️

Joe Graham

2024-05

I really enjoyed the trails. Great place.

La N

2022-06

Very well maintained fallen and petrified redwood forest. The informational boards were very helpful. It’s amazing to see such old petrified logs excavated, the ash fall, the view of Mount etc. The entire hike is very easy, children and dog friendly. The gift shop and picnic table setups were very welcoming too.

Junk Mail

2019-06

My family and I absolutely love the Petrified Forest. It's an easy one mile hike. The docent-led tour takes about an hour and a half. You don't only learn about the petrified trees but also some of the plant life native to Sonoma County. Quite relaxing, beautiful setting, interesting information, and a great gift shop to top it all off. If you haven't been I highly recommend you check it out.

Kathleen M

2021-06

While the history and the reason the stuff is petrified is fun the place is just okay. Don't plan on spending more than an hour. The view of Mount St Helena is pretty. We paid $12 per adult & dogs are allowed. There was small fridge with beverages in it for purchase and there was a restroom.

Lucely Sanz

2021-06

I really enjoyed walking the Mile around the Petrified Forest, I loved the history of the trees, its very interesting and amazing. I recommend taking comfortable shoes, clothes, and water. Great for kids too

Chandrasekar Rajaram

2020-06

Well organized place with exhibits of petrified tree trunks clearly identified. How petrification happened has been beautifully explained in a few locations. The trail itself is fantastic to walk around. One downside is we couldn't take our baby stroller along because of rough pathway.