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Colorado River at Smithville: Petrified Palm Wood & Petrified Wood Rockhounding in Bastrop County, Texas

Updated June 2026

The Colorado River at Smithville is a navigable Texas river, so its bed is state-owned public land, and the City of Smithville maintains free river access at Vernon L. Richards Riverbend Park beneath the Highway 71 bridges. Bastrop County is classic petrified palm wood country, the Texas state stone, with petrified wood and agate occurring in the river gravels and the Catahoula Formation. Reported finds include petrified palm wood, petrified wood, agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Colorado River at Smithville photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Polished petrified palm wood, the Texas state stone found in the Colorado River gravels near Smithville

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bastrop County
State: Texas
Nearest road: TX 71
Postcode: 78957
Coordinates: 30.01599, -97.14782

Geology at Colorado River at Smithville

This spot sits on Terrace deposits, mapped as sand that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Terrace deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: sand
Elevation: 300 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Colorado River at Smithville

Best months: October to May. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 63°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 39°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SMITHVILLE station (1 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
Big Bend National Park — Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Colorado River at Smithville

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

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Colorado River at Smithville FAQ

Where is Colorado River at Smithville?+

Colorado River at Smithville is in Bastrop County, Texas, at 30.01599, -97.14782. Nearest road: TX 71.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Colorado River at Smithville?+

Colorado River at Smithville is reported to produce Petrified Palm Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Colorado River at Smithville?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Colorado River at Smithville?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Colorado River at Smithville?+

The most comfortable months at Colorado River at Smithville are October to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Colorado River at Smithville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 30.01599, -97.14782 in Google Maps. The nearest road is TX 71.

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