← Back to Search

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Colorado

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.

🌤 Weather Information

Winter months - average high 40 degrees F; average low 5 degrees F; Summer months - average high 75 degrees F; average low 40 degrees F;

🚗 Directions

Visitors traveling north/south on I-25: Exit at US 24 West, travel 35 miles to town of Florissant, then follow signs two miles south on Teller County Road 1 to the Visitor Center. Visitors traveling from town of Cripple Creek: Follow Teller County Road 1 north for 16 miles.

Images

Fossil redwood stump

Walk the Petrified Trail Loop to see fossil redwood stumps

Credit: NPS Photo

palaeovespa, ancient wasp

Captured 34 million years ago, this ancient wasp and other insects are on display at Florissant Fossil Beds NM.

Credit: NPS Photo

Visitors at Hornbek Homestead

Visitors explore the Hornbek Homestead, built in 1878.

Credit: NPS Photo

Junior Rangers in Visitors Center

Youth of all ages participate in the Junior Rangers program at the Monument.

Credit: NPS Photo

View of the Florissant valley with grassy meadows and mountains in the distance

View from the top of the self-guided Geologic Trail

Credit: NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Monday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 4:30PM

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
$10 per adult (age 16 or older). Admission is good for 7 days. Children ages 15 or under are admitted free. Fee covers entrance to all areas of the park including visitor center exhibits, film, outdoor exhibit area, hiking trails, picnic areas, Hornbek Homestead, self-guided tours, and ranger programs.
$10.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Valid for one year. Covers entrance fees for card-holder and up to 3 other adults in your party. Children ages 15 or under are admitted free. Accepted only at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Feb 5

Sunny

Sunny

High: 49.3°F | Low: 18.5°F

Humidity: 47%

Wind: 7.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.8

Sunrise: 07:04 AM

Sunset: 05:28 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 21.8°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Feb 6

Sunny

Sunny

High: 47.1°F | Low: 21.6°F

Humidity: 56%

Wind: 6.7 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 07:03 AM

Sunset: 05:30 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (82%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 23.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Feb 7

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 48.6°F | Low: 22.5°F

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 14.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 07:02 AM

Sunset: 05:31 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (73%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 22.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Night Sky Program, Cancelled, Friday December 2 Information
Due to predicted Winter Storm, the Monument is cancelling the Night Sky Program for Friday December 2. The next program will be Friday, January 20, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Prescribed Fire for Week of April 11 Has Been Postponed Until Further Notice Information
The prescribed burn that was planned for the week of April 11 (next week) has postponed until further notice. For more information, please call the Monument at (719) 748 - 3253 ext. 202
UPDATE: Florissant Fossil Beds Closed Sunday April 17 Information
Due to snow ongoing snow removal operations that are expected to continue through the day, the Monument will be closed Sunday April 17.
Florissant Fossil Beds has moved to cashless fee collection Information
Entrance fees and pass purchases must be made with a credit/debit card or payment app on a mobile device. Electronic payment reduces transaction times, saves money, and improves accountability.
Prescribed burn for week of November 2 cancelled and postponed until Spring
The prescribed burn planned for the week of November 2 has been cancelled and postponed until spring. For more information, please call (719) 748 - 3253 ext. 202
Prescribed burn planned for week of 10/17/16 postponed until next week if conditions are favorable Information
The prescribed burn planed for the week of 10/17 has been postponed due to unfavorable conditions. If conditions should improve next week, the prescribed burn may be conducted.
Fire Restrictions in Place (Stage I)
Campfires (except in permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds), charcoal grills and outdoor wood burning stoves are prohibited.
Spring Hiking Safety Caution
If you plan to hike the park trails be prepared with warm layers, proper footwear, traction devices, and trekking poles. Some areas on the trails can be snow-packed or icy and slippery. Weather can change quickly—plan ahead and be weather-ready.

More Info

Winter Visitor Center Hours Information
The Visitor Center is currently open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. See Operating Hours and Seasons for more information.
Florissant Fossil Beds will be closed New Year's Day (Thursday, 1/1/2026) Information
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center and Parking Lot will be closed Thursday, January 1st for the New Year's Day Holiday. However, the Barksdale and Hornbek Homestead parking lots will be open to access hiking trails. Normal operations will resume on Friday, January 2.
Prescribed Burn Postponed
The prescribed burn on approximately 180 acres of monument land starting the week of October 13 has been postponed. If conditions and planning updates are met, the operation may still occur later the month or maybe spring. Check back for updates.
Monument Closed Monday May 11, Due to Power Outage
Due to a major spring snowstorm, and power outage, the Monument will be closed Monday May 11. (jw)
Park Closed January 9th Park Closure
The park is closed Friday, January 9, 2026 due to the winter storm.
Florissant Fossil Beds will be closed for Christmas (12/25 and 12/26) Information
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center and parking lot will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26. The Barksdale and Hornbek Homestead parking lots will remain open for access to hiking trails. Normal operations will resume on Saturday, December 27th.
Visitor Center Parking Lot closed at 3:30p today, 12/23/2025. Information
The Visitor Center parking lot will be closed at 3:30p on Tuesday, 12/23/2025.
Pile Burn Operations Taking Place 2/17 - 2/19
The Monument will be conducting pile burning operations in the visitor center area to reduce hazardous fuels. Smoke may be visible. (719) 748 - 3253 ext. 202
Florissant Fossil Beds has moved to cashless fee collection Information
Entrance fees and pass purchases must be made with a credit/debit card or payment app on a mobile device. Electronic payment reduces transaction times, saves money, and improves accountability.
Winter Hours Change: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (December 1 - March 12)
The Monument's hours have changed to 9:00 AM - 4:30 daily between December 1 and March 12.
Winter Weather Advisory and Two-Hour Delay for 1/9/2026* Information
Due to the current Winter Weather Advisory, the park will be on a two-hour delay for Friday, January 9. The Visitor Center and adjacent main parking lot will be open at 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM, *subject to change depending on severity of snow and ice accumulation.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
15807 Teller County Road 1
Florissant, CO 80816

🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 185
Florissant, CO 80816

📞 Voice Phone: 7197483253

📞 Fax Phone: 7197483164

✉️ Email: flfo_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
Loading fun fact...