Mississippi Petrified Forest

How about going back 36 million years for your family day out in Mississippi!? The Mississippi Petrified Forest is a fascinating and historic step back in time for that family day out of yours!

There are a number of points of interest along that shady paved trail a whole 6 blocks long - so there's plenty to see! Did you know that the forest started all those years ago from an ancient log jam was deposited in the area by a river from halfway across the entire continent - pretty impressive! 

After you have enjoyed the wonders of this natural world and tried to spot all sorts of nature, you can visit the Earth Science Museum! Here there are amazing collections of all things nature - from minerals, petrified wood and even fossils. 

Kids - can you imagine what kinds of animals created these fossils? Of course, our planet is made up of incredible gems and minerals, so what better place to try and "muck mine" for gems than at somewhere like the Mississippi Petrified Forest! Have you ever heard of "fluming"? Well, fluming is when you are playing in the water, and you find a gem!

You start out with a bag of "mine muck, which is the real term for those rocks straight out of the mines.  When you wash them, then screen them, you might be lucky and spot a real gem or you - AND you get to keep what you find! Amazing!

You never know what you might go home with!

Groups are more than welcome at the forest, and the gift shop is ready and waiting to swap you your pocket money for some pretty cool items. The Mississippi Petrified Forest even is home to the annual Heritage Festival the first Saturday in November.

Don't be worried - the forests aren't really scared, it's just a name for their state!