Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a United States National Monument in the south central region of Colorado. It is known for a large abundance of Eocene Epoch fossils, ranging from imprints of twigs and seeds in shale to massive ancient fossilized Sequoia tree stumps which can be more than 40 feet in diameter. Unlike many national parks, Florissant Fossil Beds operates on standard business hours, 8AM to 6PM in the Summer months, 9AM to 5PM in the Fall, Winter, and Springs months.

Understand

"Florissant" is French for "flowering" or "flourishing".

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Get in

By car

Take US Highway 24 west from Colorado Springs for 30 miles to the small town of Florissant, then turn south on Teller County Road 1 for 2 miles. The road runs through the middle of the park.

By plane

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) is away in Colorado Springs.

Fees and permits

Each person is required to pay a $3 fee, good for 7 days. A Local Passport may be purchased for $15, good for the whole year.

Get around

Most of the park is accessible by well maintained trails.

See

Visitor CenterInside are shelves with real fossils on display. A short orientation film entitled "Shadows of the Past" is played often.
AmphitheaterWhere most of the ranger talks are given, a trio of petrified stumps and one lone stump are on display.
Hornbek HomesteadFive buildings are inpeccably preserved, the result of hard work by Adeline Hornbek, one of the many women who took advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862.

Do

Hiking

There are 15 miles of hiking trails in the park.

Petrified Forest LoopThis easy 1-mile loop leads through the ancient bed of Lake Florissant. Multiple petrified stumps are on the side of the trail, including the most famous, the Big Stump (38 feet around). A 0.1-mile side trip leads to the Scudder excavation pit, where paleontologists are extracting fossils from the exposed shale to this day.
Ponderosa LoopWheelchair accessible 0.5-mile trail leading through the modern forest, passing by many culturally modified trees (bark removed by Native Americans for food).

Ranger Programs

Ranger ProgramsDepending on the time of year (Summer being the busiest time) and staffing, ranger talks are given on the history of the area, as are guided nature walks around the park.
Junior Ranger ProgramChildren ages 6-11 can complete a Junior Ranger booklet and receive either a badge or patch as a reward. The booklet has many activities about the park and its history. Although mostly for children, any age can complete the program.

Buy

The visitor center has the usual history books, games, clothes, children's activities, among other things.

Eat

There are 3 picnic areas in the park: one near the visitor center; the Barksdale Picnic Area off of Lower Twin Rock Road; and at the Hornbek Homestead.

Drink

Several vending machines near the visitor center offer a variety of soft drinks.

Sleep

There in only one non-affiliated place to sleep in the park, and no places in the town of Florissant.

Lodging

Plenty of lodges are located in the nearby towns of Cripple Creek, Woodland Park, and others.

Christ Haven LodgeLocated inside the park.

Camping

The nearest place to camp would be Mueller State Park or the Pike National Forest, flanking the park to the East and West.

Go next

Continuing south 18 miles on County Road 1 will lead to the city of Cripple Creek, a popular town rich with gold mining history and gambling casinos.