Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Vantage, WA
An interpretive center at Vantage displaying polished petrified wood, with a view over the Columbia River. A separate trail area a few miles west shows logs still in the ground; a Discover Pass is needed.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park lies near Vantage, Washington, about a mile north of town on the Columbia River, close to the geographic center of the state. The park is a National Natural Landmark and displays petrified wood from the Miocene.
About 15 million years ago the area was wet swamp and woodland. Trees buried in lake mud were enclosed by a lava flow, the Ginkgo Flow; groundwater rich in silica gradually replaced the wood with stone. More than 50 species of trees have been found, including petrified ginkgos. The Interpretive Center shows polished cross-sections; behind it stand about 60 salvaged Wanapum petroglyphs, out of more than 300 original figures, whose original site was flooded by Wanapum Dam.
The 1.5-mile Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail (part of a 2.5-mile loop) passes 22 kinds of petrified logs in their natural setting, about 2 miles northwest of the center. According to HistoryLink the campground is open daily from April to October and only on weekends and holidays in winter; that source is older, so please check times in advance.
- Nearest town
- Vantage, WA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 46.9480, -119.9860
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Vantage Riverstone ResortMotorhome stopover0 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkMotorhomesElectricity
- Sand Hollow CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkTentsCaravansToiletsDogs allowed
- Wanapum State Park CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Crescent Bar CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Priest Rapids Recreation Area CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Jackson Creek Fish CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Ginkgo Petrified Forest State ParkTentsCaravansToilets
All campsites in Washington · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is in Vantage, WA, at GPS 46.9480, -119.9860. It is about 27 mi from Ellensburg.
Can you camp near Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Vantage Riverstone Resort, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 29 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Coulee Corridor: Grand Coulee Dam to Dry Falls.
What is there to see near Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lake Lenore Caves (44 mi), Dry Falls (54 mi), Leavenworth (55 mi) and Tipsoo Lake (73 mi).
When is the best time to visit Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)