Petrified Forest Loop Trail

The trail is a one mile self guided tour that takes you in a counter-clockwise lop and returns you to the visitors center. The trail leads through the beds of ancient Lake Florissant and passes numerous giant petrified redwood tree stumps, including the colorful "Big Stump". The fossil beds were created roughly 34 million years ago when nearby volcanoes erupted and the ensuing ash fall worked to preserve an enormous variety of insects, leaves, and whole trees in what was then Lake Florissant, a large fresh water lake.