Petrified Wood near Memphis, TN
4 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Memphis report petrified wood. The closest is Holly Springs National Forest, about 51 miles out (1 hr 4 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 4 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Memphis, Tennessee
Closest petrified wood spots to Memphis
- Holly Springs National ForestMarshall County, Mississippi51 mi · 1 hr 4 min drivePetrified Wood
- Twentymile CreekPrentiss County, Mississippi89 mi · 1 hr 52 min driveFossils, Petrified Wood
- Graves CountyGraves County, Kentucky135 mi · 2 hr 48 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Marble Hill E General AreaBollinger County, Missouri148 mi · 3 hr 4 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
Types of petrified wood reported near Memphis
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Memphis
Sorted by distance from Memphis. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs National Forest | Marshall County | 34.7080, -89.3300 | Public | |
| Twentymile CreekCounty Road 7450 | Prentiss County | 34.5854, -88.6307 | Public | |
| Graves CountyKY 121 | Graves County | 36.6705, -88.5417 | Public | |
| Marble Hill E General AreaCounty Road 402 | Bollinger County | 37.2821, -89.9233 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Memphis FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Memphis?+
4 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Memphis report petrified wood. The closest is Holly Springs National Forest in Marshall County County, roughly 51 miles away (1 hr 4 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Memphis?+
4 of the 4 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 Memphis do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 51 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 148 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
