Visitor Center

The visitor center at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park sits just 1.5 miles west of Escalante off Highway 12, at the edge of a 130-acre reservoir. It's the entry point for a compact but genuinely rewarding state park that most Bryce-bound travelers drive past without stopping — a mistake worth correcting if you have a spare hour or two. Bryce Canyon is about 45 miles west.

What the Visitor Center Offers

Built in 1991, the center houses a curated collection of specimens pulled from the park itself:

• Petrified wood in several forms, including polished cross-sections showing cellular detail
• Petrified dinosaur bones and fossilized ammonites and shells
• Interpretive panels covering the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous geology of the Colorado Plateau

Staff are typically on hand to answer questions and orient first-time visitors before they head out on the trails.

Trails and Reservoir

The most-walked trail is the Petrified Forest Trail, a one-mile loop that moves through lava flows and juniper woodland to exposed fossil wood in place. Wide Hollow Reservoir adjacent to the park supports fishing and non-motorized water recreation — a somewhat unexpected amenity in this high-desert setting.

Planning Notes

A Utah State Parks day-use fee applies. The park also has a campground with RV sites. Check current hours with Utah State Parks before visiting, as staffed visitor center hours can vary by season.