Fossil redwood stump
Walk the Petrified Trail Loop to see fossil redwood stumps NPS Photo

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

National Monument · Colorado · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Trails & hiking

Hiking · Horseback Riding · Snowshoeing

Know before you go

Phone
7197483253
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Colonization and Settlement · Animals · Elk · Fossils and Paleontology · Petrified Wood · Geology · Night Sky · Astronomy · Trails

Activities & features: Astronomy · Stargazing · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Self-Guided Tours - Walking · Backcountry Hiking · Front-Country Hiking · Horse Trekking · Junior Ranger Program · Park Film · Museum Exhibits · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Photos

  • palaeovespa, ancient wasp
    NPS Photo
  • Visitors at Hornbek Homestead
    NPS Photo
  • Junior Rangers in Visitors Center
    NPS Photo
  • View of the Florissant valley with grassy meadows and mountains in the distance
    NPS

Nearby parks

Parks of Colorado

Cheyenne Mountain State ParkNavajo State ParkHighline Lake State ParkLathrop State ParkJohn Martin Reservoir State ParkDinosaur National MonumentPaonia State ParkCastlewood Canyon State ParkRifle Gap State ParkNorth Sterling State ParkYucca House National MonumentYampa River State ParkTrinidad Lake State ParkState Forest State ParkBarr Lake State ParkJackson Lake State ParkSweitzer Lake State ParkSpinney Mountain State ParkPearl Lake State ParkStagecoach State ParkSand Creek Massacre National Historic SiteRocky Mountain National ParkSanta Fe National Historic TrailSteamboat Lake State ParkHarvey Gap State ParkCurecanti National Recreation AreaLake Pueblo State ParkRoxborough State ParkElkhead Reservoir State ParkStaunton State ParkEleven Mile State ParkGolden Gate Canyon State ParkVega State ParkMancos State ParkMesa Verde National ParkBent's Old Fort National Historic SiteRifle Falls State ParkSylvan Lake State ParkAmache National Historic SiteLory State ParkChatfield State ParkHovenweep National MonumentGreat Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveBoyd Lake State ParkColorado National MonumentFishers Peak State ParkCrawford State ParkBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National ParkRidgway State ParkLone Mesa State ParkCherry Creek State ParkEldorado Canyon State ParkMueller State Park

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Guides for the trip

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12