The Long Logs Trail circles one of the greatest concentrations of in-tact petrified logs in the Park. Trees over 100' long were stripped of their branches by ancient rivers and eventually came together within this vicinity. The Agate House was built between 1050 and 1300 A.D., possibly by transient farmers or traders as a temporary home. Distinguishing this dwelling's remains from others in the region is its uncommon construction materials - petrified wood sealed with mud mortar. Both trails lead from the same trailhead.

This prehistoric floodplain was home to an ancient log-jam, leaving behind some of the park's longest petrified specimens

As its name suggests, the Long Logs Trail contains some of the park's longest and most heavily mineralized pieces of petrified wood

Encased in hard clay for millions of years, minerals slowly replace the tree's organic material, resulting in petrification. Iron oxides gives the wood its distinctive red, yellow and orange hues. Manganese oxides produce the blues, purples and deep blacks while Carbon produces the shades of gray.

Large, heavy cuts of petrified wood still lay half-buried in sediment waiting to be revealed

The fiery red petrified logs bear a striking contrast to the blue-grey badland formations in the background

The Agate House is a unique and colorful structure made entirely of petrified wood

Another view of the Agate House. The park has reconstructed certain sections leading to questions about the accuracy of how it would have looked in ancient times.