← 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

Sunday, Sep 13

Sunny

Sunny

High: 78.4°F | Low: 45.6°F

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 21.9 mph

Rain Chance: 57%

UV Index: 9.2

Sunrise: 06:40 AM

Sunset: 07:13 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (8%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 50.2°F

Cloud Cover: 57%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Sep 14

Overcast

Overcast

High: 72°F | Low: 48.1°F

Humidity: 53%

Wind: 16.8 mph

Rain Chance: 11%

UV Index: 5.8

Sunrise: 06:41 AM

Sunset: 07:11 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.6°F

Cloud Cover: 11%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Sep 15

Sunny

Sunny

High: 66.6°F | Low: 43.1°F

Humidity: 68%

Wind: 19.9 mph

Rain Chance: 57%

UV Index: 5.6

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 07:10 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (23%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46°F

Cloud Cover: 57%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

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 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.
Park Closed January 9th Park Closure
The park is closed Friday, January 9, 2026 due to the winter storm.
Update: Park Closed Friday, March 6 Park Closure
The park will close today, Friday, March 6 for visitor and employee safety due to a winter storm.

More Info

Winter Weather Advisory and Two-Hour Delay for 3/7/2026* Information
Due to the current Winter Weather Advisory, the park will be on a two-hour delay for Saturday, March 7. The Visitor Center and adjacent main parking lot will be open 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...