Fossil Butte National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Wyoming
📘 Park Overview
In the ridges of southwest Wyoming are some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They tell the story of ancient life in a warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake. Stingrays swam in the lake. Turtles basked in the sun. Leaves rustled in the breeze while early horses darted between the trunks. We reveal more of the past with each fossil found.
🌤 Weather Information
Expect a variety of weather conditions no matter what time of year you visit. Spring, fall and winter can be very cold with snow and icy conditions. In spring, daytime temperatures usually range from 30 F to 65 F. Summer daytime temperatures range from 60 F to 90 F. Fall daytime temperatures range from 45 F to 70 F. Winter daytime temperatures range from -20 F to 30 F.
🚗 Directions
By car: Travel 9 miles west of Kemmerer, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 30. There is a highway sign near mile post 44; turn right onto Lincoln County Road 300. The Historic Quarry Trail is approximately 1/2 mile on the right. Continue west on County Road 300 for approximately 1.5 miles to Chicken Creek Road which provides access to the visitor center, scenic drive, Nature Trail and picnic area. Closest airports: Rock Springs, Wyoming (130 miles); Salt Lake City, Utah (150 miles).
Images
Knightia eocaena, the most abundant vertebrate fossil in the world, lies exposed near cliff face.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fossils from the Green River Formation are known for their excellent preservation, abundance, and diversity. Cockerellites liops is one of the common fishes found here.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fossil palm fronds and other plants indicate a climate similar to the Gulf Coast states.
Credit: NPS Photo
Early Summer Beauty in the High Desert of Southwestern Wyoming
Credit: NPS Photo/Devin Cherry
The visitor center is nestled in a sagebrush landscape beneath Fossil Butte. Over 300 fossils are on exhibit.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fossil Butte is the most noticeable landmark of the park and where the monument got its name.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Mar 30
Partly Cloudy
High: 59.7°F | Low: 36.1°F
Humidity: 49%
Wind: 28.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.4
Sunrise: 07:08 AM
Sunset: 07:46 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (90%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 36.9°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Mar 31
Overcast
High: 51.3°F | Low: 34.5°F
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 16.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.8
Sunrise: 07:07 AM
Sunset: 07:47 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 35.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Apr 1
Mist
High: 46.4°F | Low: 31.5°F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 25.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.4
Sunrise: 07:05 AM
Sunset: 07:48 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 34.6°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Red Flag Warning issued March 29 at 12:00PM MDT until March 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
Effective: Mar 29, 2026 2:00pm
Expires: Mar 30, 2026 9:00am
* IMPACTS: Low Humidities...Unseasonably Warm Temperatures...and
Strong Gusty Winds could cause erratic fire behavior.
* AFFECTED AREA:
In Southwest WY Fire Zones...277...279.
In West Central WY Fire Zone....278.
* COUNTIES AFFECTED:
In Southwest WY...Sweetwater...Uinta.
In West Central WY...Lincoln...Sublette.
* WIND: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph today. West 25 to
35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph Monday.
* HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent. Humidity recovery will be fair
tonight.
* TEMPERATURES: Highs in the mid 60s to lower 70s. Lows in the
upper 20s to upper 30s.
Park Alerts
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
864 Chicken Creek Road
Kemmerer, WY 83101
🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 592
Kemmerer, WY 83101
📞 Voice Phone: 3078774455
✉️ Email: fobu_information@nps.gov