The Washington Park You Had No Idea Existed (But Have To Visit)
Washington’s parks help showcase its diverse beauty. But with over 186 state parks, 26 recreation areas and 3 national parks spanning the state, visiting – or even knowing of – all of them is virtually impossible.
If you’ve ever crossed the Vantage Bridge, which carries I-90 over the Columbia River, you’ve been close to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone, but it’s definitely worth stopping to see.
Numerous trees were buried in volcanic ash, and the organic matter in the tree trunks was gradually replaced by minerals in the groundwater. The resulting petrified wood was protected by flows of basalt, which were eroded by the catastrophic Missoula Floods around 15,000 B.C.
The Wanapum tribe never fought the white settlers, first welcoming them during during Lewis and Clark's expedition.
The views are spectacular.
Secure your lightweight items well if you want to sleep here.
It's also called the Wanapum Recreational Area. The nearby Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center has some great indoor exhibits that tell more of the geologic story.
Did you know this beautiful state park existed? Here are some of Washington’s other impressive state parks worth exploring.
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