North Petrified Forest Trail

The trail starts at the lift gate behind the trailhead sign. It climbs out of the badlands onto open prairie, then splits toward the two wood valleys. Take the North branch and turn back after exploring the stumps; the full Petrified Forest Loop keeps going for about 10.4 miles. The route is unpaved and unmaintained, with uneven ground, loose stone and steep slopes. It can get slippery or unstable after rain.

About 65 million years ago, this was a flat, swampy delta where sequoias, bald cypress and magnolias grew. Sediment from the rising Rockies buried the trees; mineral-rich water gradually replaced the wood, and erosion later exposed the trunks. Theodore Roosevelt National Park holds the third-largest concentration of petrified wood in the United States. At the North valley, the big upright trunk surrounded by smaller pieces and banded badlands makes a good picture for showing the scale. Leave every stump and fragment where it lies: removing fossils or rocks is illegal.

From Medora, the drive takes about 50 minutes on dirt and gravel roads. Use the approved approach from I-94 Exit 10 toward Camels Hump Lake and follow the marked posts; older directions use a different access route, so check the current NPS directions before driving. There’s little to no shade, and summer biting insects can be present. The park recommends at least a liter of water per person per hour, especially in hot weather. Pets aren’t allowed; service animals must stay on a leash no longer than six feet.