Dobell Ranch is so awesome!  Rhonda was so wonderful. Beautiful place and exceptional wood.  Love this place.
1 / 10

DoBell Ranch Petrified Wood Collecting

4.9
·195 reviews·Holbrook, United States

Unearth your own ancient treasures! Dig for unique petrified wood at DoBell Ranch, a hands-on adventure for all ages.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Anytime

Unique souvenir hunt

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Dobell Ranch is so awesome!  Rhonda was so wonderful. Beautiful place and exceptional wood.  Love this place.

DoBell Ranch Petrified Wood Collecting

Best Time

Anytime

Unique souvenir hunt

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Unearth your own ancient treasures! Dig for unique petrified wood at DoBell Ranch, a hands-on adventure for all ages.

4.9
(195 reviews)

"You get to dig for as long as you want for your own petrified wood, and whatever you find, you will be the first human being to ever see that rock!!!"

Vertical photo
TIP

📞 Book Ahead

Call or message on Facebook to coordinate your visit and ensure guidance.

💧 Stay Hydrated

Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to dig for extended periods.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dig Your Own Petrified Wood

Dig Your Own Petrified Wood

Unearth your own ancient treasures! Be the first human to ever see your unique petrified wood find.

Select Pre-Excavated Pieces

Select Pre-Excavated Pieces

Browse a plentiful supply of already dug petrified wood, with options for various sizes and colors.

Large Log & Tree Section

Large Log & Tree Section

On-site

Explore larger petrified logs and partial trees, perfect for a statement piece in your yard.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Digging for Your Own Petrified Wood

Get ready for a dusty but rewarding adventure! Bring plenty of water and wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Coordinating your visit in advance via Facebook is recommended to ensure availability and guidance.

Choosing Your Petrified Wood Experience

You can dig for your own treasures or select from pre-excavated pieces. For larger, more unique finds, communicate your desires early. Delivery options are available for significant pieces.

Best Times

When
Anytime
Why
Unique souvenir hunt
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📞 Book Ahead

Call or message on Facebook to coordinate your visit and ensure guidance. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to dig for extended periods. Reddit

👕 Wear Old Clothes

Expect to get dusty! Comfortable, old clothing is a must for a digging adventure. Reddit

💎 Unique Souvenirs

Find a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir that you unearthed yourself. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

📞 Book Ahead

Call or message on Facebook to coordinate your visit and ensure guidance. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

Bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to dig for extended periods. Reddit

👕 Wear Old Clothes

Expect to get dusty! Comfortable, old clothing is a must for a digging adventure. Reddit

💎 Unique Souvenirs

Find a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir that you unearthed yourself. Reddit

🚚 Delivery Options

Large pieces can be delivered, even across states. Inquire about logistics. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.9
(195 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the unique and fun experience of digging for their own petrified wood at DoBell Ranch. The hands-on nature of the activity, combined with the guidance of knowledgeable hosts like Rhonda, makes for a memorable adventure. While it can be dusty and requires preparation, the reward of unearthing a personal ancient treasure is highly satisfying.

"We had such a good time! It was tiring but also fun to dig for our own petrified rocks. Do expect to get dusty, bring water to hydrate. Rhonda guided us to an area that was recently excavated and showed us some techniques and what to look for. We called in advance to coordinate what time we were going there, her number is on her Facebook page."

Nikki Stein

"We were with Rhonda Dobell on the ranch in September this year. She and her granddaughter showed us around and we chose to hunt amongst their plentiful supply of already dug petrified wood. To say we enjoyed ourselves would be an understatement. There were four in our group and three had bucketfuls of pet wood. I, on the other hand, wanted a BIG piece that was delivered to our home today.

This wasn't our first hunt at Dobell's. We had previously dealt with Noah three or four times. Much to our disappointment, it ended after he failed to complete our final transaction, kept our deposit and didn't deliver the goods. We weren't giving up on Dobell's though. I had read numerous positive reviews on hunts with Rhonda and we scheduled with her this time.

Rhonda knows her business, was very informative, gracious and even helping to find certain colors or types of the pet wood we each looked for. I believe it was Hailey that took me on a tour of the bigger logs or partial petrified trees. There were numerous ones to choose from and finally my eyes came upon one they referred to as The Burl. It pulled me in and I could picture it in our yard.

Today was delivery day and I couldn't be more pleased. Rhonda, Frank and their son went out of their way helping us to find transportation and heavy equipment to move the rock once here, two states away. Delivery and setup went wonderfully. I have no complaints, only praise, and will continue to only hunt with Rhonda from now on. She's a woman of her word and a pleasure to hunt with. Thank you Rhonda!"

Linda Marie

"If you are anywhere near here (or far… we drove 9 hours to do this) I highly recommend it! You get to dig for as long as you want for your own petrified wood, and whatever you find, you will be the first human being to ever see that rock!!! Noah is super cool and knowledgeable. Just message that you are coming in Facebook and prepare to find so many cool pieces!"

Stephanie Roush

What People Like

Digging for own wood
Unique souvenirs
Helpful guides

What People Dislike

Can be dusty

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

DoBell Ranch is located near Holbrook, Arizona. While the exact address might vary, travelers mention driving on an approximate 3-mile lane after leaving the main road. It's recommended to message them on Facebook to coordinate your arrival and get specific directions. Reddit

Public transport options are limited in this rural area. It is best to have your own vehicle to reach DoBell Ranch. Reddit

The drive involves leaving the main road and navigating a lane, which some visitors note is worth the journey for the experience. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While specific ticket prices aren't detailed, visitors mention coordinating their visit in advance via Facebook. It's advisable to message them to understand any entry fees or arrangements. Reddit

Operating hours are not explicitly stated, but coordinating your visit in advance is highly recommended. Some visitors have stayed until late to finish their finds. Reddit

Guides like Rhonda and Noah are available and highly recommended for showing you areas and techniques. You can also choose to select from already excavated wood. Reddit

Visitors mention digging for as long as they want, suggesting there isn't a strict time limit for collecting. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Expect a dusty but fun experience where you can dig for your own petrified wood. Guides can show you techniques and good spots to start. Reddit

You can find various colors and types of petrified wood. Guides can help you look for specific colors or types you desire. Reddit

Yes, whatever you find is yours to keep. Visitors have collected bucketfuls of petrified wood. Reddit

While not explicitly detailed, visitors mention needing water, so it's wise to bring your own supplies. Reddit

Yes, children have a great time digging for petrified wood, with some calling it a highlight of their trip. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

No specific dining facilities are mentioned. It's recommended to bring your own snacks and drinks, especially water. Reddit

Yes, visitors are advised to bring their own water and any snacks they might need for the digging activity. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The unique petrified wood pieces, especially larger logs and your own finds, make for great photo opportunities. Capturing the digging process is also recommended. Reddit

Absolutely! Documenting your finds and the experience is encouraged. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

DoBell Ranch is a fantastic destination for families! Kids often find the digging experience incredibly exciting, with some calling it a highlight of their trip. It's a hands-on adventure that sparks curiosity about geology and ancient history. Reddit

Tips for families: Bring extra water and snacks, wear old clothes that can get dirty, and consider coordinating with Rhonda or Noah in advance for guidance. The opportunity for children to unearth their own unique souvenir is a memorable takeaway.

💎 Souvenir Hunters

If you're looking for a truly unique souvenir, DoBell Ranch is unparalleled. Instead of mass-produced items, you get to dig for and keep your own piece of petrified wood, making it a deeply personal memento. Reddit

Tips for souvenir hunters: Communicate your preferences for size, color, or type of wood to your guide. For larger pieces, inquire about delivery options to ensure your special find makes it home safely.

🚗 Road Trippers

For those on a road trip through Arizona, DoBell Ranch offers a unique detour. Even if the Petrified Forest National Park is closed, this ranch provides an accessible and engaging way to experience petrified wood. Reddit

Tips for road trippers: Message ahead to confirm availability. Be prepared for a dusty, outdoor activity and bring all necessary supplies like water and snacks, as amenities might be limited.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The DoBell Family and Their Petrified Wood Legacy

DoBell Ranch has a history of providing unique petrified wood experiences, with different family members offering distinct approaches. While Noah has been a past contact, many recent positive reviews highlight experiences with Rhonda. She is praised for her knowledge, graciousness, and ability to help visitors find specific colors or types of petrified wood. Her granddaughter, Hailey, has also been mentioned as assisting with tours of larger logs. This family-run operation seems dedicated to ensuring visitors have a memorable and successful hunt. Reddit

It's important to note that one review mentioned a past negative experience with Noah regarding a failed transaction. However, the same reviewer emphasized their continued trust in the DoBell name due to positive experiences with Rhonda, suggesting a commitment to customer satisfaction from certain family members. This highlights the importance of clarifying who you are coordinating with when booking your visit. Reddit

For those seeking larger, statement pieces, Rhonda and her family have gone above and beyond, assisting with transportation and heavy equipment logistics for delivery even across states. This level of service for significant finds underscores their dedication to making the petrified wood dream a reality for their customers. Reddit

Your Petrified Wood Digging Adventure

The core experience at DoBell Ranch is the hands-on opportunity to dig for your own petrified wood. Visitors describe it as tiring but incredibly fun, with the thrill of unearthing a piece of ancient history. Guides like Rhonda can show you techniques and point out areas that have been recently excavated, increasing your chances of finding good specimens. Reddit

Whether you choose to dig for hours or select from their plentiful supply of already dug petrified wood, the outcome is a unique souvenir. Many visitors leave with bucketfuls of their finds. For those with a specific vision, communicating with Rhonda about desired colors or types can help narrow down the search. Reddit

Don't be deterred by the drive; the experience is consistently described as worth it. The ability to find something that no other human has seen before is a powerful draw for many visitors, making it a truly special and personalized souvenir hunt. Reddit

You may also like