Trip AdvisorEscalante Petrified Forest State Park
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located at Wide Hollow Reservoir, a small reservoir that is popular for boating, canoeing, fishing, and water sports. The park includes a developed campground with RV sites and a nice group area. There is also a pleasant picnic area. On the hill above the campground, you can see large petrified logs. A marked hiking trail leads through the petrified forest.
Petrified wood is kaleidoscopic in color and a clue into eons past. The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located at Wide Hollow Reservoir. This small reservoir is popular for boating, canoeing, and fishing. There are a number of clean campsites with facilities, an RV park, and a scenic group site, which attracts folks to stay for a while.
At the Visitor Center, you can view displays of plant and marine fossils, petrified wood, and fossilized dinosaur bones over 100 million years old. There are educational opportunities and displays of petrified wood, petrified dinosaur bones, ammonite, and shell fossils. When you enter the park, stop here to learn more about the area before venturing off onto one of several trails or playing in the reservoir.
The proximity to Escalante makes this park ideal for day use and beyond. Located on the plateau two miles northwest of town, it is but a scant two miles away, off Utah Scenic Byway 12.
Park at the visitor center, the trailhead to Petrified Forest Trail, or the campground, all of which are within a stone’s throw of each other.
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is best enjoyed from late March to September when the temperatures are the most comfortable. If hiking during the summer season, begin your trip early in the morning or in the late evening. Dogs are allowed in the park.
US Geological Society
Visit UtahA 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Legend has it that an ancient curse befalls anyone who removes petrified wood from the park and the visitor center is full of letters from people who have mailed back their souvenirs after suffering bad luck.Attraction Advice
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is open year-round. Day-use fees are $8 per vehicle and $4 for Utah seniors. The fee for camping at Wide Hollow Campground is $19 per night. There are no reservations allowed and sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
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- Sponsored by: Escalante and Boulder Chamber of Commerce
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
- Escalante
- (435) 826-4466