When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Mild and breezy, with good hiking temperatures and desert wildflowers in season.
Pack Sun protection, wind layer, and water even on short trails.
Summer
Hot, dry, and exposed, with little shade on the fossil trails.
Pack Maximum water, sun shirt, and an early-or-late hiking plan.
Fall
Cooler and comfortable, with crisp air over the Columbia.
Pack Layers, sun protection, and a wind shell for the bluffs.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with the interpretive center open on a reduced seasonal schedule.
Pack Insulation, wind protection, and a check on center hours before driving.
Top things to do
Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail
The signature walk, about two miles west of the interpretive center, passing dozens of exposed petrified logs in an ancient fossil bed first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center
Displays of about 30 varieties of petrified wood, plus the story of the Ice Age floods that carved this stretch of the Columbia. The center also has a day-use and picnic area on the bluff.
Columbia River bluff trails
Roughly three miles of trail total above the river, with big high-desert views and access to the broader Wanapum recreation area on the water.
Anchor the day around Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, make Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail the non-negotiable, add Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Columbia River bluff trails as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail: The signature walk, about two miles west of the interpretive center, passing dozens of exposed petrified logs in an ancient fossil bed first developed by the.
- 2Add Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center: Displays of about 30 varieties of petrified wood, plus the story of the Ice Age floods that carved this stretch of the Columbia. The center also has a day-use and.
- 3Use Columbia River bluff trails as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Ginkgo Petrified Forest's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Insulated jacket, Traction devices for ice
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Ginkgo Petrified Forest
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Ginkgo Petrified Forest
The buying guides that match what Ginkgo Petrified Forest asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Ginkgo itself is day-use, but the connected Wanapum Recreation Area on the Columbia has a campground a few miles south, which makes the most natural base. Ellensburg, about 30 miles west, is the nearest real town for hotels, food, and fuel.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Ginkgo is day-use; camp at the connected Wanapum Recreation Area on the Columbia.
The petrified-forest unit is for day visits and the interpretive center. For camping, use the Wanapum Recreation Area campground a short drive south on the reservoir.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Washington State Parks books reservable campsites up to nine months ahead, with same-day campsite reservations available until 2 p.m.
- A Discover Pass is required for day-use parking at Ginkgo.
- Wanapum Recreation Area holds the campground for this part of the Columbia.
- Summer heat and exposure should shape your hiking time even when sites are open.
Where to book or verify
Official Washington State Parks reservation portal for Wanapum and other campgrounds.
Park profile with the interpretive center, trails, hours, and Discover Pass details.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Wanapum Recreation Area campground
Details- Booking
- Up to nine months ahead, with same-day reservations until 2 p.m.
- Season
- Generally a warm-season campground; verify dates before a shoulder-season trip.
- Sites
- Developed campsites with utility options along the Columbia River reservoir.
- The practical base for a Ginkgo trip, a few miles south of the petrified-forest unit.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Washington
Arrival note
Ginkgo sits just off Interstate 90 at Vantage, where the highway crosses the Columbia River about 30 miles east of Ellensburg.
Car strategy
A car is required, and the interpretive center, the picnic bluff, and the Trees of Stone trail are a couple of miles apart, so plan to drive between them.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Washington Filmworks acts as the state film office but issues no permits; Washington State Parks require a commercial filming and photography permit with published fees, plus a Discover Pass to drive in.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a Discover Pass at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park?
Yes. Washington requires a Discover Pass for day-use parking, currently about $10 for a single day or $30 for an annual pass.
Can you take petrified wood from the park?
No. Collecting petrified wood inside the park is prohibited because it is a protected National Natural Landmark. You can see and touch displays at the interpretive center.
How long are the trails at Ginkgo?
Short. The Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail is about 1.25 miles, and the park has roughly three miles of trail total, so it works well as a half-day geology stop.