The fossils date back to the Lower Jurassic period, approximately 180 million years ago.
The park contains massive trunks belonging to ancient Gymnosperms, ancestors of modern conifers.
The petrification process occurred when buried wood was replaced by silica-rich mineral solutions over millions of years.
The presence of these tree trunks indicates that the now-arid Thar Desert was once a lush coastal forest near the ancient Tethys Sea.
The park is officially recognized as a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India.
Akal Wood Fossil Park is a National Geological Monument showcasing 180-million-year-old petrified tree trunks preserved within sedimentary rock. The site features numerous massive fossilized trunks, some reaching lengths of up to 7 meters and circumferences of 1.5 meters. These fossils belong to the Jurassic period, providing evidence that the current Thar Desert region was once a humid, forest-rich environment. The park is managed by the Desert National Park authorities to protect these rare botanical remnants from erosion and human interference. Visitors can view the fossils in situ, protected under covered structures that shield them from harsh weather. This site offers a direct physical connection to the tectonic and climatic shifts that shaped Western Rajasthan.
The raised viewing platforms that offer a clear, panoramic angle of the largest petrified trunks.
Bring a hat and high-SPF sunscreen as the park has very limited natural shade.
Carry at least one liter of water per person, as the desert heat can lead to rapid dehydration.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the rocky and uneven desert terrain safely.
Visiting during the peak of the afternoon heat and wandering outside the fenced-in trail areas.
The park may close periodically during extreme weather events or heavy sandstorms common in the region.
Do not touch, climb, or attempt to chip pieces off the fossilized wood; stay strictly within the designated viewing paths.
