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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

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.

 
Visitors on a ranger-led hike

Things to do

Learn about the outdoor and indoor activities available to you on a visit to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
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fossil insect

Online Museum

Learn about the fossils and geology of Florissant Fossil Beds through the on-line museum
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Image of web page from database

Paleontology Database

Search for museum records, taxonomic information, and publication data

 
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Write to

PO Box 185
Florissant, Colorado 80816

Phone

Phone Number
(719) 748-3253

Fax

(719) 748-3164

Climate

Summers are generally of short duration with pleasant warm days and cool nights. Sub-zero lows are common in the winter; dress in warm layers to keep dry and to prevent hypothermia. The altitude is 8,500 above sea level so pace yourself in any season, drink a lot of water, and use sunscreen.
Communities Surrounding Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Florissant, CO (2 min. )
Lake George, CO (7 min. )
Divide, CO (11 min. )
Woodland Park, CO (18 min. ) Pop. 6,515
Cripple Creek, CO (20 min. ) Pop. 1,115
Green Mountain Falls, CO (25 min. ) Pop. 773
Stratton, CO (28 min. ) Pop. 669
Victor, CO (31 min. ) Pop. 445
Manitou Springs, CO (35 min. ) Pop. 4,980
Guffey, CO (37 min. )
Hartsel, CO (38 min. )
Colorado Springs, CO (43 min. ) Pop. 360,890
Canon City, CO (59 min. ) Pop. 15,431
Monument, CO (1 hr.  2 min. ) Pop. 1,971
Buffalo Creek, CO (1 hr.  3 min. )
Palmer Lake, CO (1 hr.  6 min. ) Pop. 2,179
Pine, CO (1 hr.  8 min. )
Larkspur, CO (1 hr.  11 min. ) Pop. 234