Oh Wow!

Petrified Forest was added to Your Favorites!

Petrified Forest - Photo 1
Request Stamp

Petrified Forest

Calistoga, California

Claim this place to tell your story your way.

Explorer Photos

Audio Stories

🏛️

Oh Wow! Origin

The fascinating backstory

🎭

Culture Moment

The cultural significance

🔍

Hidden Moment

Secrets and lesser-known facts

📸

Best Photo Spots

Perfect photo opportunities

💭

Wow Thought

Reflections & inspirational aspects

Fun Facts

The massive redwood tree, estimated to be over 3 million years old, was preserved by volcanic ash from an ancient eruption.

The forest was formed when a nearby volcano erupted, covering the area in ash and preserving the trees as stone.

Charles Evans, a Swedish homesteader, stumbled upon the petrified trees in 1870 while clearing land for farming.

Unlike many natural attractions, this forest is maintained by private owners who have preserved its unique geological features.

The preserved trees and surrounding fossils provide insights into the flora and fauna that existed millions of years ago.

The forest primarily consists of petrified redwoods, which are closely related to the modern-day coastal redwoods of California.

Recognized for its geological significance, it was designated as a historical landmark in 1978.

Nearby places to explore

Swipe to explore more places