Hiking to the Petrified Tree in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a land of fire and life, constantly remaking itself—but the hike to the Petrified Tree offers a rare pause in that endless cycle. Just steps from the trailhead near Tower-Roosevelt, you’ll find a time traveler of sorts: a fossilized redwood that has stood frozen in stone for millions of years.

As you approach, the tree’s scale is staggering, its mineralized surface gleaming in shades of gray and brown. Every ring and groove is etched with precision, a testament to the forces of preservation that turned living wood into stone. This isn’t just a fossil—it’s a window into a prehistoric Yellowstone where subtropical forests thrived and volcanic eruptions shaped the land.

The path to the Petrified Tree is short, but the experience feels timeless. Surrounded by modern pines and aspens, the fossil stands as a stark contrast to the living forest. Nearby hills are said to hide entire petrified groves, buried beneath layers of ash and rock, their secrets locked away for another millennium.

The silence here is profound, broken only by the rustling of leaves or the distant call of a bird. Standing before the Petrified Tree, you can’t help but feel a connection to the park’s ancient past. It’s humbling to think of the volcanic eruptions that preserved this tree, freezing a moment in time while the world moved on around it.

Hiking to the Petrified Tree isn’t just a journey into Yellowstone’s history—it’s a reminder of nature’s power to transform, preserve, and endure. In just a few steps, you travel millions of years, from a prehistoric forest to today’s vibrant wilderness.

Adventure Guide Summary

Petrified Tree

Trailhead: 1 mile west of Tower-Roosevelt Junction on the Grand Loop Road.
Distance: Less than 0.1 mile from the parking area.
Difficulty: Easy; suitable for all ages.
Features: A stunning fossilized redwood, surrounded by modern forest.
Tips: Visit early for fewer crowds and combine with nearby attractions like Tower Fall or Lamar Valley.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Cameron Flewellen4 months ago

Very cool to see this size of something petrified. Not much of a hike and parking is tricky when there is a lot of people but still cool to see.

Scott Condera year ago

Very short hike. It's less than 400ft on a slight incline. It's very cool to see the old petrified tree. You can't touch it. There's a fence completely around it. Be aware at all times though. You're in a wildlife park, and wild animals are everywhere. We saw a bear a few hundred feet down in the valley.

Tracy4 months ago

Disappointed landmark. Just a trunk and being sealed off. Short walk from the parking lot. Very limited parking also and it gets crowded. There's also a small hiking trail off to the right of the tree that leads down to a pond with lily pads. This trail will have you go through wild flowers with lots of butterflies and we saw a baby wolf. Some people saw bears but we weren't that lucky. Be prepared with bear spray.

Collin Smith2 months ago

The walk to the petrified tree wasn’t terrible, although not impressive. The real reason to visit this place are the trailheads. Not only beautiful, but you will encounter wildlife. I was working at Roosevelt at the time, and encountered a black bear on the trail blocking us and tourists from leaving. Wild experience and plenty to see for an easy hike. If you have difficulty on some hikes or trails, this is worth visiting as it’s quite easy yet beautiful.

Matthijs3 months ago

OK. It's nice to see a petrified tree up close. But it's kinda sad that there's a huge fence around it because people kept taking pieces of the tree as souvenirs. There's a small parking lot and it's a short walk to the tree.

Hiking to the Petrified Tree in Yellowstone National Park