Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
CO

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Hours

Open daily · 9:00AM - 4:30PM

Entrance Fee

$10.00

Entrance - Per Person

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Florissant Fossil Beds at a glance

Best time
March–May, October–November
Trip length
Half day–1 day
Don't miss
Main Florissant Fossil Beds highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
Nearby city
Gateway towns in CO

Explore this park

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.

2 current NPS alerts

  • Information: Winter Hours Begin September 14
  • Information: Florissant Fossil Beds has moved to cashless fee collection

Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 1, 2026). Official Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument page on nps.gov

Weather Information

  • Summer

    40°F – 75°F

  • Winter

    5°F – 40°F

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person

$10.00

$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.

Operating Hours

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.

  • Monday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Tuesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Wednesday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Thursday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Friday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Saturday9:00AM - 4:30PM
  • Sunday9:00AM - 4:30PM

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

$35.00

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.

Common questions

Planning Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.

Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Florissant Fossil Beds. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.