Ginkgo Petrified Forest / Wanapum Recreational Area

Over 15 million years ago, this fossilized forest was covered in lava and volcanic ash. Barren yet beautiful, the park is home to over 50 species of petrified trees.

Three miles south, the Wanapum Recreation Area has 50 full hook-up sites, plus two sites for hikers and bikers. All sites have full access to bathrooms, picnic tables, and a boat ramp.

The 7,470-acre park is named for its rarest species--the Ginko tree. A museum stands on the bluffs overlooking the Columbia River, offering panoramic views. Inside, visitors tour more than 30 samples of petrified wood. But it's more fun to go looking for yourself.

Two miles west, the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trailhead offers more of these geologic oddities. The 3-mile trail network winds through windswept hills, passing by petrified logs in their original setting. Metal cages protect the specimens, making them easy to spot. The trails are a great place to spot birds, as well as rattlesnakes.