Petrified Wood near Austin, TX
10 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Austin report petrified wood. The closest is E of Austin, about 12 miles out (15 min drive).
Petrified wood is ancient wood replaced cell by cell with silica. It concentrates where volcanic ash buried forests, and weathered pieces collect as float on desert slopes and in washes.
Map of 10 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Austin, Texas
Closest petrified wood spots to Austin
- E of AustinTravis County, Texas12 mi · 15 min driveAgatized Wood, Petrified Palm Wood
- Area surfaces all around SmithvilleBastrop County, Texas40 mi · 49 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
- New BraunfelsComal County, Texas43 mi · 54 min drivePetrified Wood
- Rabb's CreekFayette County, Texas53 mi · 1 hr 7 min drivePetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
- Peach CreekGonzales County, Texas59 mi · 1 hr 13 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
- MoultonLavaca County, Texas61 mi · 1 hr 16 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
Types of petrified wood reported near Austin
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Petrified Wood7
- Agatized Wood2
- Opalized Wood2
- Petrified Palm Wood2
- Agatized Palm Wood1
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Austin
Sorted by distance from Austin. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E of Austin | Travis County |
| 30.2358, -97.5460 | Public |
| Area surfaces all around SmithvilleTX 71 | Bastrop County | 30.0160, -97.1478 | Public | |
| New BraunfelsGruene Place Drive | Comal County | 29.7286, -98.1088 | Public | |
| Rabb's Creek | Fayette County | 30.0666, -96.8791 | Public | |
| Peach CreekCounty Road 353 | Gonzales County | 29.5041, -97.3143 | Public | |
| MoultonCounty Road 532G | Lavaca County | 29.5580, -97.1321 | Public | |
| Creek beds & hill slopes between Caldwell & Somerville | Burleson County | 30.3629, -96.6913 | Public | |
| Erdman FarmFM 887 | Karnes County |
| 29.0005, -98.0196 | Public |
| Tessman FarmFM 1344 | Karnes County |
| 28.9173, -98.1372 | Public |
| N of CrossFM 39 South | Madison County | 30.8983, -96.1067 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Austin FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Austin?+
10 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Austin report petrified wood. The closest is E of Austin in Travis County County, roughly 12 miles away (15 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Austin?+
10 of the 10 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
How can I tell petrified wood from plain rock?+
Look for wood structure: parallel grain lines, growth rings on cut ends, and bark texture on the outside. Petrified palm shows a distinctive rod-and-dot pattern instead of rings. Plain jasper and chert show none of these, even when the color looks woody.
How far from Austin do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 12 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 107 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Austin
Petrified Wood near other cities
Hunt petrified wood around Austin with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
