Vantage in Kittitas County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Welcome to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Remains of a Fossil Forest
The park contains hundreds of pieces of petrified wood that were preserved within an ancient basalt lava flow known as the Ginkgo flow. These fascinating pieces were unearthed through a combination of Ice Age floods, erosion, and human activity. Many different species were preserved at the site, including ginkgo, maple, Douglas-fir, spruce, walnut, and elm.
Read the human history in the landscape!
The Columbia River has long been a travel and trade route for Native Americans. Early traders and settlers also traveled through the area, eventually building ferries and roads at this natural river crossing. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built many structures in the park, including the interpretive center and the nearby stone house.
A Park of Intriguing Options
Visit the interpretive center, hike nearby petrified forest interpretive trails, or relax along the shores of the Columbia River at the Wanapum Recreational Area.
(Lower Left Photo Caption)
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park trails opened in 1938. To see petrified logs and Ice Age flood features, hike these self-guided interpretive trails located along Vantage Highway two miles west of here.
Erected by Washington State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Paleontology • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 46° 57.283′ N, 119° 59.299′ W. Marker is in Vantage, Washington, in Kittitas County. Marker can be reached from Ginkgo Avenue, half a mile north of Vantage Highway. Marker is located at the interpretive center for the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park; a entrance fee may be required. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vantage WA 98950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Buried by Enormous Lava Floods (here, next to this marker); In the Path of Cataclysmic Floods (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore Massive Floodscapes! (within shouting distance of this marker); A Living Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Carving Out Basalt Layers (within shouting distance of this marker); Here and Gone (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wanapums (approx. 1.2 miles away); Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vantage.
Regarding Welcome to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. The interpretive trails for the Ginkgo Petrified Forest are located two miles west of the interpretive center on Vantage Highway.
Also see . . . Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on May 2, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
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