Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument protects one of the world’s richest fossil deposits, including giant petrified redwood stumps, in the mountain valley of Florissant, Colorado.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant, CO
Thirty-five miles west of Colorado Springs, a quiet valley holds the stone ghosts of a 34-million-year-old lake ecosystem. Volcanic mudflows entombed towering redwoods; ash settled into Florissant Lake and preserved insects, leaves, fish and mammals in extraordinary detail. Today you can walk paved and dirt trails past enormous petrified stumps, tour the visitor center museum and film, and explore the historic Hornbek Homestead. The monument was established in 1969 to protect the beds after years of commercial digging threatened them.
Admission is $10 per person age 16 and older (valid seven days); ages 15 and under are free. America the Beautiful and other federal passes are accepted. The visitor center is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the peak season; from mid-September through May it is typically closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Trails remain accessible when the desk is closed, with foyer restrooms available. Pay ahead at recreation.gov or at the desk, and plan two to three hours for the stumps, museum and a short hike.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: 2023-07-15 Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument – 180 by mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); 2023-07-15 Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument – 181 by mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument PA272510 by National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain); Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument PA272514 by National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain); Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument PA272513 by National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain); Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument FLFO1233 by National Park Service Digital Image Archives (Public domain); Petrified plants and fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado (6581bf41-f9d9-4237-bcd6-8b2eef48bfce) by NPS staff (Public domain); Sequoia affinis (fossil giant redwood tree trunk) (Florissant Formation, Upper Eocene; Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado, USA) 1 by James St. John (CC BY 2.0); Petrified plants and fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado (4810bd98-1e07-423a-8331-22c6b530bfbe) by NPS staff (Public domain). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
Check alerts and hours on the NPS Florissant Fossil Beds page for Florissant, CO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Petrified Forest Loop: Walk among giant redwood stump fossils on an easy interpretive trail.
- Visitor center: See fossil exhibits, the park film, bookstore and Junior Ranger materials.
- Hornbek Homestead: Tour a preserved 1878 homestead on the monument grounds.
- Hiking: Choose longer prairie and woodland trails for quiet views of Pikes Peak country.
- Ranger programs: Join seasonal talks and guided walks when offered.
What is nearby Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Florissant and Divide: Small mountain towns with cafes and basic lodging.
- Cripple Creek: Historic mining town and casinos about 30 minutes southwest.
- Garden of the Gods: Free red-rock park in Colorado Springs to the east.
- Mueller State Park: Forested trails and wildlife viewing nearby.
- Pikes Peak region: Cog railway, Manitou and Colorado Springs attractions within an hour.
When was Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument established?
Congress established Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in 1969 to protect the fossil lake beds and petrified stumps after scientists and locals pushed to stop commercial collecting. The fossils themselves date to the late Eocene, about 34 million years ago.
When is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument open?
The visitor center parking area is open about 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily in summer. From September 14 through May 31 it is typically closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Trails are day-use; check NPS alerts for weather closures. Call (719) 748-3253 for current hours.
Are there any tips for visiting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument?
Start at the visitor center for maps and stump highlights. Wear layers; the valley sits near 8,400 feet and afternoon storms are common in summer. Stay on trails and do not collect fossils. Pair the stop with a Pikes Peak Highway or Cripple Creek drive the same day.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located at 15807 Teller County Road 1, Florissant, CO 80816. Call (719) 748-3253 or visit nps.gov/flfo for details.