Round Trip Distance: 0.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5954 - 5966 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 15 mins.
Trailhead: Picnic Area
Fee: $8/vehicle
Attractions: Petrified wood, paved trail
The Petrified Wood Cove is located in the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park near the town of Escalante, Utah. The short, wheelchair accessible, paved trail gives visitors to the park that are unable to hike the Petrified Forest trail an opportunity to still see some fine specimens of the petrified wood that is found along the other trails.
To get to the park drive west on Highway 12 from the town of Escalante and follow the signs to the entrance. The turnoff on Highway 12 is less than a mile from town and the total distance is about 1.4 miles from the city limits.
The Petrified Wood Cove trail begins near the main trailhead and picnic area.
Interpretive signs along the trail point out various native plants found in the area.
The trail is decorated with specimens of the parks petrified wood that are laid out much as they appear along the other trails.
This particular chunk must be pretty long as the portion sticking out of the ground is standing over 5 feet tall.
The cove itself is nestled within a pleasantly scenic geological setting.
The Petrified Wood Cove is a nice addition to the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park for those that are unable to reach some of the parks more challenging areas and would probably be very disappointed to not be able to see any of the petrified wood that the park is known for. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.