Best spot

Holly Springs National Forest: Petrified Wood Rockhounding in Marshall County, Mississippi

Updated July 2026

Holly Springs National Forest sits on Eocene Wilcox and Claiborne sands and reworked upland gravels that carry silicified and petrified wood, Mississippi's official state stone. The dense, silica-replaced wood concentrates in creek gravels and eroded gullies where lighter sediment has washed away. It is one of the few places in the state where petrified wood can be collected on public land under clear federal rules. Reported finds include petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Holly Springs National Forest photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

A wooded creek with a sandy, gravel-strewn bed in Holly Springs National Forest, Marshall County, Mississippi, where petrified wood concentrates

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Marshall County
State: Mississippi
Coordinates: 34.70795, -89.32995

Geology at Holly Springs National Forest

This spot sits on Tallahatta formation and Neshoba sand, mapped as claystone and clay that formed roughly 56 to 34 million years ago. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Tallahatta formation and Neshoba sand
Age: 56–34 Ma (Eocene)
Rock types: claystone and clay
Elevation: 340 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Holly Springs National Forest

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 50°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HOLLY SPRINGS 4 N station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Holly Springs National Forest

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Petrified Wood Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Holly Springs National Forest.

Across the state line from Holly Springs National Forest

Holly Springs National Forest is close enough to the Mississippi border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Holly Springs National Forest FAQ

Where is Holly Springs National Forest?+

Holly Springs National Forest is in Marshall County, Mississippi, at 34.70795, -89.32995.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Holly Springs National Forest?+

Holly Springs National Forest is reported to produce Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Holly Springs National Forest?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Holly Springs National Forest?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Holly Springs National Forest?+

The most comfortable months at Holly Springs National Forest are September to June.

How do I get to Holly Springs National Forest?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.70795, -89.32995 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Mississippi

See all 12 Mississippi spots →

Open Holly Springs National Forest on the map

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