Petrified Wood near Reno, NV
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Reno report petrified wood. The closest is Lahontan Reservoir, about 41 miles out (51 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 5 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Reno, Nevada
Closest petrified wood spots to Reno
- Lahontan ReservoirChurchill County, Nevada41 mi · 51 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Walker LakeMineral County, Nevada77 mi · 1 hr 36 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Fossils
- GerlachWashoe County, Nevada82 mi · 1 hr 42 min driveAgate, Silicified Wood
- Black Rock DesertPershing County, Nevada102 mi · 2 hr 7 min driveOpalized Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate
- Deep CreekModoc County, California139 mi · 2 hr 54 min driveAgate, Opalized Wood
Types of petrified wood reported near Reno
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Reno
Sorted by distance from Reno. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahontan ReservoirKaren Road | Churchill County | 39.4476, -119.0493 | Public | |
| Walker Lake | Mineral County | 38.7849, -118.7425 | Public | |
| GerlachOld State Route 34 | Washoe County | 40.6650, -119.3701 | Public | |
| Black Rock Desert | Pershing County | 40.8859, -119.0567 | Public | |
| Deep CreekCounty Road 25 | Modoc County | 41.5173, -120.2490 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Reno FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Reno?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Reno report petrified wood. The closest is Lahontan Reservoir in Churchill County County, roughly 41 miles away (51 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Reno?+
5 of the 5 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 Reno do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 41 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 139 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Reno
Petrified Wood near other cities
Hunt petrified wood around Reno 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.
