Southern Utah is home to multiple national parks, state parks, national monuments, and more. There is always someplace to go and something to do. While many of these attractions draw in the crowds, there are still several little-known attractions that deserve your attention. The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is one of these incredible state parks in Utah that is perfect for a getaway and is lesser-known, so you may practically have it all to yourself.

The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is less than a mile north of the small town of Escalante. It is located at Wide Hollow Reservoir and is filled with the most remarkable deposits of mineralized wood.

Wide Hollow Reservoir was constructed in 1954 as a way to provide irrigation to the town of Escalante. This body of water became a place for fishing and even water sports in southern Utah. When you visit you’ll definitely want to bring a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard with you.

In 1991, a visitor center was built at the state park and it is where you will find and learn all about petrified wood, dinosaur bones, shell fossils, and more. When first visiting the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, this is the perfect place to begin your adventure.

Hiking is one of the most popular activities at this lesser-known state park in Utah. There are several trails that take you all around the petrified forest but one that you will not want to miss is the Petrified Forest Trail.

This is an easy one-mile loop trail where you will view thousands of pieces of petrified wood, lava flows, and more. If you want more of a challenge, try the Sleeping Rainbows Trail. This trail branches off of the Petrified Forest Trail and is 0.75 miles. Be prepared for this journey as it features steep inclines and some rock scrambling.

The petrified wood you'll find on the hikes and around this state park is quite fascinating and you may be tempted to take some home. However, it is illegal to remove any wood.

In fact, if you remove anything from this state park, you will not only be faced with hefty fines but local legend says a curse will be placed on you!

If you want to spend multiple days at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, spend the night at the Wide Hollow Campground. Here, you will find plenty of space for tents and trailers. You are also near the hiking trails and reservoir, making it the perfect place to establish a base camp.

Swim, fish, hike, learn, and even camp at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. This lesser-known park definitely deserves a spot near the top of your bucket list.

Have you been to the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Utah? What did you think of this state park? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments! You can also learn more about this state park on the Utah State Parks website.

If you are searching for even more lesser-known state parks in Utah, check out this list of state parks you’ve likely never heard of but should visit immediately!