Petrified Wood near Durango, CO
8 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Durango report petrified wood. The closest is NW San Juan County, about 56 miles out (1 hr 9 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 8 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Durango, Colorado
Closest petrified wood spots to Durango
- NW San Juan CountySan Juan County, New Mexico56 mi · 1 hr 9 min driveChert, Garnet, Jasper
- Jemez National Recreation AreaSandoval County, New Mexico121 mi · 2 hr 32 min driveObsidian, Opalized Wood
- Colorado RiverGrand County, Utah131 mi · 2 hr 43 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- SE Grand CountyGrand County, Utah132 mi · 2 hr 45 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Thompson SpringsGrand County, Utah140 mi · 2 hr 55 min driveAgate, Agatized Clams, Jasper
- AgateGrand County, Utah141 mi · 2 hr 57 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
Types of petrified wood reported near Durango
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Durango
Sorted by distance from Durango. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NW San Juan County | San Juan County |
| 36.7617, -108.6553 | Public |
| Jemez National Recreation AreaEast Fork Trail (137) | Sandoval County | 35.8283, -106.6416 | Public | |
| Colorado RiverDinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Grand County | 38.6027, -109.5841 | Public | |
| SE Grand County | Grand County |
| 38.6512, -109.5572 | Permission |
| Thompson SpringsCR 164 | Grand County |
| 38.8370, -109.5310 | Public |
| AgateCR 179 | Grand County | 39.0176, -109.2472 | Public | |
| Thompson SpringsCR 146 | Grand County | 38.8657, -109.7045 | Public | |
| Zuni MountainsCounty Road 149 | Cibola County | 35.1422, -108.3258 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Durango FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Durango?+
8 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Durango report petrified wood. The closest is NW San Juan County in San Juan County County, roughly 56 miles away (1 hr 9 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Durango?+
7 of the 8 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 Durango do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 56 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 149 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Durango
Petrified Wood near other cities
Hunt petrified wood around Durango 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.
