Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Park State park preserving petrified wood and paleontological sites
East of Grand Staircase country, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park showcases petrified wood and desert scrub; visitors explore short trails and roadside viewpoints to inspect fossilized logs and geological strata.
A Utah state park preserving concentrations of petrified wood and other fossilized vegetation near the town of Escalante. The park protects exposed fossil beds and adjacent desert terrain.
Trails and short walkways lead to visible logs and silicified wood lying in badland gullies and slopes; interpretive signage explains the fossil preservation and local geology. The park also provides a small campground and basic visitor facilities for overnight stays.
Established to protect and interpret the area’s large petrified wood deposits, the park has been managed to allow public access to fossil exposures while preventing removal of specimens.
Situated just outside the town of Escalante in south-central Utah, the site lies within a semi-arid plateau landscape of badlands and mesas in the Colorado Plateau region.
- Petrified wood exposures: Contains concentrations of petrified wood and plant fossils exposed in badland outcrops and arroyo cuts, visible from short trails and roadside overlooks.
- Visitor information: Offers a small visitor contact area with interpretive displays about the park's geology and fossils, useful for first-time visitors.
How to Get to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park #
The park is located off Scenic Byway 12 near Escalante, Utah; follow local signage from the town of Escalante. Roads in the area can be narrow-high-clearance vehicles are recommended for some routes depending on conditions.
Tips for Visiting Escalante Petrified Forest State Park #
- Bring water and sun protection for the desert heat; services are limited near the park.
- Visit the Petrified Forest Interpretive Trail early in the morning to avoid the strongest sun and to catch softer light on the fossils.
- Drive slowly on park roads and watch for bighorn sheep and other wildlife along scenic overlooks.
Best Time to Visit Escalante Petrified Forest State Park #
Spring through fall is generally the most comfortable period for hiking and exploring; summer can be hot in exposed areas.
Weather & Climate near Escalante Petrified Forest State Park #
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 31°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 0°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 38 mm of rain.
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September
September is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.
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