Petrified Wood near Missoula, MT
6 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Missoula report petrified wood. The closest is Leesburg, about 114 miles out (2 hr 23 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 6 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Missoula, Montana
Closest petrified wood spots to Missoula
- LeesburgLemhi County, Idaho114 mi · 2 hr 23 min driveGold, Petrified Wood
- Jefferson RiverMadison County, Montana116 mi · 2 hr 25 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- VaughnCascade County, Montana124 mi · 2 hr 35 min driveSilicified Wood
- AgathaNez Perce County, Idaho125 mi · 2 hr 36 min driveOpal, Opalized Wood
- Frying Pan BasinBeaverhead County, Montana125 mi · 2 hr 36 min driveCorundum, Opalized Wood, Silicified Wood
- Salmon RiverIdaho County, Idaho130 mi · 2 hr 42 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
Types of petrified wood reported near Missoula
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Missoula
Sorted by distance from Missoula. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeesburgNational Forest Development Road 242 | Lemhi County | 45.2216, -114.1166 | Public | |
| Jefferson RiverPrimrose Lane | Madison County | 45.6902, -112.2745 | Public | |
| VaughnSunnyside Avenue | Cascade County | 47.5691, -111.5511 | Public | |
| AgathaBed Rock Road | Nez Perce County | 46.5278, -116.5754 | Public | |
| Frying Pan Basin | Beaverhead County | 45.2933, -112.7336 | Public | |
| Salmon RiverSalmon River Trail #96 | Idaho County | 45.4632, -115.7870 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Missoula FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Missoula?+
6 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Missoula report petrified wood. The closest is Leesburg in Lemhi County County, roughly 114 miles away (2 hr 23 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Missoula?+
6 of the 6 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 Missoula do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 114 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 130 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Missoula
Petrified Wood near other cities
Hunt petrified wood around Missoula 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.
