The Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, USA, is recognized as the world’s largest petrified wood park, home to one of the most extensive and well-preserved concentrations of petrified wood anywhere on Earth. Spanning over 221,000 acres, the park protects vast landscapes filled with ancient fossilized trees that date back more than 225 million years to the Late Triassic period.

The park’s petrified wood was formed when fallen trees were buried by sediment and volcanic ash, allowing minerals—primarily silica—to slowly replace the organic material over millions of years. The result is brilliantly colored fossilized logs, some stretching over 60 meters in length, preserved in stunning detail and scattered across the desert terrain.

Beyond its petrified wood, the park also features dramatic badlands, mesas, ancient petroglyphs, and fossil-rich formations that offer valuable insight into prehistoric ecosystems. Scientists from around the world study the area to better understand ancient climates, plant life, and evolutionary history.

Park officials describe the site as both a natural wonder and a scientific treasure. “This landscape is a window into Earth’s deep past,” said a park representative. “Nowhere else on the planet offers petrified wood on this scale, preserved across such a vast area.”