In the heart of the Chubut province, there is an extraordinary and little-explored site: the **Petrified Forest Sarmiento**. Unlike more popular tourist destinations, this place offers a unique connection to the [natural history of Patagonia](https://noticiasambientales.com/turismo/patagonia-azul-un-santuario-de-biodiversidad-en-las-costas-de-chubut/).
Across its vast expanse, the **fossilized remains of an ancient forest** are preserved, dating back over **65 million years**.
Over millennia, the primitive vegetation **underwent a geological transformation**, turning into impressive stone trunks scattered across the terrain. This curious natural formation gives the landscape a mysterious air, with an aesthetic reminiscent of the **lunar surface**.
In addition to its undeniable beauty, the site offers an [invaluable insight into the climatic](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/dia-mundial-del-clima-razones-detras-de-la-celebracion-del-26-de-marzo/) and ecological conditions that defined the Patagonian region in prehistoric times.
## A Journey Among Fossils in an Impressive Setting
Most visitors who come to Chubut **first explore Los Alerces National Park**, captivated by its crystal-clear lakes and forests with vibrant hues. However, the **Petrified Forest Sarmiento** dazzles for another reason: its **ancestral and timeless** appearance, where it seems like time has stood still.
The tour of the protected area is an immersive experience that **transports travelers to a primitive era**. Through marked and easily accessible trails, it’s possible to admire up close the fossil formations and understand the **geological processes** that led to this phenomenon.
### Location and How to Get to the Petrified Forest Sarmiento
This incredible destination can be visited all year round, although the **spring and autumn** seasons offer the most pleasant weather conditions for exploration.
To access this **natural monument**, the most direct route starts from **Sarmiento**, a city located about **28 kilometers** from the protected area and **156 kilometers from Comodoro Rivadavia**. From there, a well-marked road allows you to arrive in **approximately an hour of travel**.
It is also possible to arrive from towns like **Esquel or Trelew**, although these options involve longer journeys. Therefore, **Sarmiento is the ideal starting point** to discover this unique site in Patagonia, an area of **300 square kilometers** that seems taken from another era.
