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Florissant Fossil Beds

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument provides a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument can be a great place to visit any time of the year. During the summer there are a variety of ranger led programs such as interpretive talks and ranger guided walks.

Throughout the year there are a variety of self-guided hikes and over 14 miles of hiking trails. The junior ranger program is also available year round for younger visitors.

Things To Do

A typical visit to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is about 1.5 - 2 hours. We recommend that all visitors begin their visit at the visitor center.

At the visitor center, you will receive orientation information and you can see geologic exhibits and fossil displays. The bookstore and bathrooms are also located here.

Behind the visitor center is an outdoor exhibit area where you can see petrified redwood tree stumps and associated exhibits. In the summer, rangers give hourly talks in the amphitheater which is also in the outdoor exhibit area.

From the outdoor exhibit area you will have access to two self-guided trails and most of the Monument's 14 miles of hiking trails. View the Fossil Beds Hiking Trails
Walking Tour

Guided Tours

Ranger Guided Tours

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Monument offers a variety of ranger-guided tours. The number and times of tours may change depending on staffing levels so please call ahead at (719) 748 - 3253. The types of tours available are listed below:

Interpretive Talks

These are 30 minutes talks that take place in the amphitheater behind the visitor center. They will provide visitors with the basic geologic story of the area.

Guided Walks

These walks usually last 1.5 hours and are one mile in length. The area's geologic history as well as other topics such as modern natural history and human history may be covered in the walks.

Hornbek Homestead Tours

Depending upon staffing levels, visitors are sometimes able to join a ranger and tour the buildings of the Hornbek Homestead. If a ranger is not available it is possible to tour the grounds of the homestead on your own.

Directions

By Plane:
Colorado Springs is the closest airport to the Monument.

By Car:
DIRECTIONS:
  • 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 to the visitor center on Teller County 1.
  • Visitors traveling east/west on US 24: Exit to the town of Florissant, then follow signs two miles south on Teller County 1 to the visitor center.
  • Visitors traveling from the town of Cripple Creek: Follow Teller County Road 1 north for 16 miles.


 

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