Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

NPS.gov

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

Park Alerts (2)

Winter Hours Begin September 14: Winter Operating Hours in effect September 14, 2026: the visitor center is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Florissant Fossil Beds has moved to cashless fee collection: 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.

About 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.

Available Activities

Astronomy

Stargazing

Food

Picnicking

Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Hiking

Backcountry Hiking

Front-Country Hiking

Horse Trekking

Horseback Riding

Junior Ranger Program

Snowshoeing

Park Film

Museum Exhibits

Shopping

Bookstore and Park Store

Weather

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

Getting There

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.

View Directions Open in Maps

Plan Your Visit

Let Roamze help you plan the perfect trip to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument with AI-powered itineraries.

Hours

The Visitor Center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter season beginning September 14, 2026. Check the Visitor Center hours section for more information. The Visitor Center parking lot gate is locked daily at 4:30 pm. Be sure to park at the Hornbek Homestead if you think your hike may run late - this lot is open 24 hours a day as a designated Dark Sky viewing area.

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. Pay ahead of your visit at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/2683.

$10.00