Petrified trunks
Tens of metres long.
The Jaramillo Petrified Forests protect the remains of a forest whose trees turned to stone, growing here about 150 million years ago, before the Andes rose. Protected as a natural monument since 1954 over 13,700 hectares, it was enlarged in December 2012 into a national park of 78,543 hectares on the desert plateau of Santa Cruz. Along a short trail near the visitor centre lie huge petrified trunks, some tens of metres long, scattered on bare, coloured ground among the mesas, their growth rings and bark looking freshly cut. Taking any piece of stone is strictly forbidden. Entry is free; the park opens 10:00-19:00 in high season and 10:00-17:00 in winter. It is remote: the last fifty kilometres are gravel from National Route 3, with no services on the way, so fill up and carry water.
Tens of metres long.
Among mesas.
Kept in stone.
Deseado department, about 256 km southwest of Puerto Deseado
No. Taking any piece from the park is strictly forbidden; the site is protected.