The Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and Wanapum Recreational Area are as beautiful as they are enormous; nearly 7,500 acres of stunning vistas five miles of pristine Columbia River shoreline.
Yet it may be one of the most passed by parks in the state. Flying down Interstate 90, most travelers stop only for gas at Vantage, which is surrounded by the park, and then move quickly on to Seattle, Spokane or a concert at the Gorge Amphitheater.
Those that do follow their whimsy and the signs into the surrounding park come upon a desert diamond, full of wonders – natural and man-made. It’s a great park for a simple stop through, an education day trip or an overnight camping adventure.
Natural history, amazing views of the Columbia River Gorge and trails in the scablands of Washington offer hours of outdoor entertainment.
The surrounding country is the picture of the wide-open west. Sage brush and painted hills are spliced by the sparkling waters of the Columbia River. It is the perfect place to stop off, rest and explore in the middle of a long drive. Take in the sights and snap a few photos from the viewing areas, then step inside the interpretive center and museum to learn about the region’s unique geological history and native peoples.
Getting hot? Take a swim and have some lunch down by the riverside. Just three miles down Huntziger Road, Wanapum Recreational Area has a swimming beach and plenty of picnic tables.
At Gingko/Wanapum history unfolds in layers. Excavated in 1931 by geologist George Beck, the park’s petrified forest yielded an incredible 50 species of Miocene-era plants, earning the area national preserve status.
Between 1934 and 1938, New-Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps workers turned the area into a park complete with ranger residences, an interpretive center and a small museum, all of which are still in existence today.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, circa 1938
In the 1960s the Wanapum Dam was built on the Columbia. Petroglyphs, thought to have been created in prehistoric times, were rescued from the rising waters and brought up to the park where visitors contemplate and photograph them still.
Experience park history by exploring the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center and the Tree of Stone Interpretive trail. The center features indoor exhibits about the Vantage Petrified Forest and displays one of the most diverse petrified wood collections in North America. The interpretive trail is just two-miles west of the center, leading you on a self-guided journey through an ancient fossil bed. See nearly two dozen petrified logs on the one-mile loop.
Test out your macro lens on the subtle greens and browns of desert plant life.
Here’s a close-up view of a petrified log just outside the interpretive center.
If you are seeing a concert at the Gorge, reserve a camp space ahead and you’ll have a peaceful night’s sleep waiting for you after the show. Or just divide that long drive in two and enjoy a break by the river.
Park Hours
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
Winter: Open 8 a.m. to dusk on weekends and holidays from Nov. 1 through March 1
Camping:
Wanapum Recreation Area has 50 utility sites and two restrooms. All sites have full hook-ups. Maximum site length is 60-feet (may have limited availability). The campground is subject to thigh winds, especially in the evening. Be sure to secure tents and light-weight articles! The park is heavily used during the Gorge concert season – facilities fill early on weekends. Make your reservations well in advance by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Discover Pass:
The Discover Pass must be displayed on your vehicle when visiting Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
Location:
Located approximately 30 miles east of Ellensburg, on the Columbia River in Kittitas County.
Maps:
Want a handy map? Download one for Ginkgo Petrified Forest and Wanapum Recreation Area from the State Parks website.
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Photos courtesy Dustin and Jenae (Feature photo), Erich Zernhilt (Park overview photo), IMLS Digital Collections & Content (Historic photo) and rickpetit (Snapshot photo).
