Lava Tree State Park - marked as Lava Tree State Monument on some maps - is a small park area with a lot of interesting stone tree molds leftover from the area's past volcanic activity.
The tree molds form when fast-moving lava encounters a wet tree, coating it with lava before killing the tree. When that lava recedes, that stuck to the tree cools and hardens, leaving a mold of the tree in its place. Lava Tree State Park has a few dozen of these tree molds standing at various heights throughout the area.
The park is small - with a few covered picnic tables, interpretive signs, flush bathrooms and benches near the parking area. A .7 mile paved path creates a small loop trail inside the park leading by different examples of these lava tree molds, as well as other benches, gazebos, and a lush wall of trees.
Another area of interest in the deep volcanic chasm in the center of the park. This was created by an eruption in 1790, and from the right angle, it's possible to look over the fence and see the sheer depth of the chasm.
Lava Tree State Park is free to access and open daily from 7am to 7pm.
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