Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area
Mattawa, Washington
petrified woodagatized woodopalized wood
Public land, rules apply · Free
Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area
BLM states plainly that the Saddle Mountains have long been a recreational collecting site for petrified wood, which is Washington's official state gemstone. Wood weathers out of the Columbia River basalt flows in agatized and opalized forms, some of it holding fine cell structure. BLM specifically encourages visitors to explore the west end, because the east end is intermixed with private land — call Wenatchee before you commit to a spot.
The card catalog
| What you can find | petrified wood, agatized wood, opalized wood |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | free, no permit; BLM's petrified wood limit is 25 lb per day plus one piece and no more than 250 lb per year, and pooling quotas between people to take an oversize piece is prohibited. BLM's own page tells visitors to contact the Wenatchee Field Office for collection limits |
| Season & hours | spring and fall are best; BLM notes snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads, and summer fire restrictions apply. Camping is free with a 14-day limit |
| Kids | Family-friendly — surface hunting on the west end is easy walking for kids, but BLM lists no facilities at all — no water, no toilets, no shade anywhere in the range |
| Official source | Bureau of Land Management, Wenatchee Field Office |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area cost?
free, no permit; BLM's petrified wood limit is 25 lb per day plus one piece and no more than 250 lb per year, and pooling quotas between people to take an oversize piece is prohibited. BLM's own page tells visitors to contact the Wenatchee Field Office for collection limits Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area open?
spring and fall are best; BLM notes snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads, and summer fire restrictions apply. Camping is free with a 14-day limit Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area good for kids?
Yes — Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area works for families. surface hunting on the west end is easy walking for kids, but BLM lists no facilities at all — no water, no toilets, no shade anywhere in the range