Giant petrified redwood stumps and exquisite fossil insects, at 8,400 feet.
Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
In a high mountain meadow west of Colorado Springs, a 34-million-year-old volcanic lake bed preserved one of the richest fossil deposits on Earth — delicate insects, leaves, and even a tsetse fly pressed into fine shale, alongside giant petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet across. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument tells that story with an outdoor fossil exhibit, short interpretive loops, and surprising solitude at nearly 8,400 feet, with Pikes Peak on the horizon.
Start at the visitor center, where the film and exhibits explain the ancient lake and display the fossils, then walk the Petrified Forest Loop to the massive Big Stump and the restored 1878 Hornbek Homestead. Meadow and ponderosa trails wind beyond for those who want more. Note that fossil collecting is prohibited in the monument — but a private pay-dig quarry in town lets you split shale and keep what you find.
The altitude surprises people: even summer mornings are chilly, and the NPS warns that afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and hail occur almost daily in summer — so visit in the morning. Winters are cold and snowy. There's no lodging in the monument; base in Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, or Colorado Springs.
Exhibits and a film tell the story of ancient Lake Florissant, displaying exquisitely detailed fossil insects, leaves, and plants from 34-million-year-old shale.
Insider tipWatch the film and see the exhibits first — it makes the stumps and shale outside far more meaningful. Free Junior Ranger books for kids.
Plan a trip to this spot →A ~1-mile self-guided loop past massive petrified redwood stumps — the famous Big Stump up to 14 feet wide — buried at the base by a volcanic mudflow.
Insider tipThe must-do trail — short and the showpiece; do it even on a quick visit.
Plan a trip to this spot →A restored 1878 pioneer homestead with interpretive panels telling the story of homesteader Adeline Hornbek.
Insider tipA short drive or walk from the main area, included in your fee — a nice change of pace from the geology.
Plan a trip to this spot →A self-guided interpretive trail explaining the volcanic geology and how the fossils and stumps formed.
Insider tipBest for understanding the lahar-and-lake-bed story behind everything else you'll see.
Plan a trip to this spot →Roughly 14 miles of trails wind through wildflower meadows and ponderosa forest at 8,400 feet, with views toward Pikes Peak.
Insider tipGo in the morning before storms build, and bring layers — even summer mornings are cold.
Plan a trip to this spot →Summer programs include geologist talks, guided hikes, and a Fossil Learning Lab. Collecting is prohibited in the monument.
Insider tipTo dig and keep fossils, visit the private Florissant Fossil Quarry in town — check the park calendar for current programs.
Plan a trip to this spot →A high mountain meadow at ~8,400 feet — not the warm Colorado plains. Summers are mild by day (highs mid-70s) but mornings and evenings are chilly (and freezes are possible even in summer); the defining hazard is near-daily summer afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and hail, so go in the morning. Winters are cold and snowy. Pace yourself and hydrate for the altitude.
Off US-24 west of Colorado Springs.
Near Florissant, ~45 min west of Colorado Springs and ~2–2.5 hours from Denver. $10/person (16+), card only; ~2–3 hours.
No lodging in the monument — stay in the nearby towns.
Woodland Park (~20 min) is the closest town with motels and dining; historic Cripple Creek (~30–40 min) adds gold-rush character.
Booking tipMueller State Park nearby has camping.
About 45 minutes east, with the widest range of hotels and services.
Booking tipA good base for pairing with Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.
How much does it cost?
$10 per adult (16+), valid 7 days; kids 15 and under free. Card or mobile payment only — no cash.
What's preserved here?
One of the world's richest fossil deposits — thousands of insects and plants pressed into fine shale, plus giant petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide, all about 34 million years old.
Can I collect fossils?
No — collecting is prohibited everywhere in the monument. If you want to dig and keep fossils, the privately owned Florissant Fossil Quarry in town lets you split shale and keep what you find.
How high is it — what about weather?
About 8,400 feet, high enough that altitude affects many visitors (hydrate, use sunscreen, pace yourself). Summer afternoons bring near-daily thunderstorms with lightning and hail, so plan morning visits; mornings are chilly year-round.
What's the Hornbek Homestead?
A restored 1878 pioneer homestead on the grounds, included in admission, telling the story of early homesteader Adeline Hornbek.
When should I go?
Late spring through early fall for full trail access, with mornings best in summer. The visitor center is open year-round (check winter hours).
Pick your vehicle, line up the stops on the way in and out, and carry the whole route in your pocket.
