Journey back 34 million years to a vibrant ancient redwood forest preserved beneath the grassy Florissant Valley in central Colorado. This national monument safeguards one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world, featuring massive petrified redwood stumps and thousands of exquisitely detailed fossils of insects, plants, mammals, and more. Florissant tells the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado—an invaluable touchstone for understanding Earth’s history, climate change, and evolution. Visitors today can explore trails, fossil exhibits, and beautiful mountain scenery while immersing themselves in a landscape frozen in time.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument preserves a world-class 34-million-year-old fossil ecosystem in central Colorado, featuring giant petrified redwoods, delicate insect fossils, ancient lakebeds, and volcanic history. Explore trails, museum exhibits, and more to uncover Earth’s deep past.

Overview

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, established in 1969, preserves a vast fossil record from the late Eocene epoch, around 34 million years ago. Though today the valley supports a temperate mountain ecology, buried beneath are clues to a prehistoric world shaped by towering redwoods, abundant insects, and volcanic catastrophes.

The monument is located 35 miles west of Colorado Springs near Florissant, CO, and protects a 1,500-acre area rich in fossil and geologic heritage.
Fossilized redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide, delicate insect and plant fossils, and mammal and bird remains reveal an ancient ecosystem now lost to time.
The site is famed for its paper shale, which preserves exquisite details of leaves, insects, fish, and even feathers—offering a snapshot of life in a prehistoric lake【3】【2】【1】.

History

The fossils at Florissant were first scientifically explored during the 1870s, attracting paleontologists and collectors alike. Hundreds of new species were described by early researchers, including the dedicated homesteader Charlotte Hill, who contributed important specimens and has a fossil rose named in her honor.

Tourists in the early 20th century flocked to see the giant petrified stumps, and dynamite was even used to expose fossils more easily.
By the 1960s, housing developments threatened to destroy the fossil beds, sparking a conservation movement led by Estella Leopold, Harry MacGinitie, and others.
Legal battles culminated in the area’s designation as a national monument in 1969, ensuring permanent protection for this invaluable record of ancient life【4】【2】【1】.

Geology and Formation

Florissant’s fossils were formed by a combination of volcanic activity and ancient lake sediments. Around 37 million years ago, a volcanic eruption from a collapsing caldera sent a superheated ash flow through the area, incinerating life and setting the stage for fossil preservation.

Subsequent lahars—fast-moving volcanic mudflows—buried redwood forests, petrifying the trees and creating conditions for fossil preservation.
An ancient lake, formed when another lahar blocked a stream, collected volcanic ash, clay, and diatoms that settled to the bottom, preserving leaves, insects, fish, and birds in fine detail within paper shale layers.
Over millions of years, these sediments hardened, preserving a snapshot of Eocene life that is nearly unparalleled in its diversity and detail【3】【9】【1】.

Fossils and Geologic Heritage

Florissant is internationally renowned for the diversity and quality of its fossils, which include plants, insects, vertebrates, and microfossils. These provide scientists with vital data about ancient climates, ecosystems, and evolutionary processes.

Insect and Spider Fossils

Florissant is famous for its exceptionally detailed fossil insects and spiders, which are often preserved so finely that even wing veins and body segments are visible.

More than 1,800 species of fossils have been described from the site, with hundreds being insects and spiders.
Delicate butterflies and moths, including rare species, are preserved here in greater diversity than almost anywhere else in the world.
Fossil evidence shows interactions between insects and plants, such as feeding damage, that reveal ecological relationships from millions of years ago.
The presence of tropical species like the tsetse fly—now only found in Africa—indicates that the ancient climate was once much warmer than today【1】【4】【2】.

Plant Fossils

The plant fossils at Florissant include leaves, seeds, and flowers that document a lush, bygone environment dominated by species now absent from Colorado.

The two most common plant fossils belong to extinct species related to the elm and beech families.
Fossils of the golden rain tree, now native only to Asia and Pacific islands, highlight dramatic shifts in plant distribution due to climate change.
Huge petrified redwood stumps attest to the presence of towering redwood forests, which once thrived at a much lower elevation than their modern relatives.
Millions of pollen grains and microscopic plant remains are preserved, aiding in the reconstruction of ancient climates and habitats【1】【4】【3】.

Vertebrate Fossils

Though less abundant than plant and insect fossils, Florissant has yielded fascinating vertebrate remains.

Brontotheres—massive, rhino-like mammals weighing up to two tons—are the largest fossils found, illustrating the scale of prehistoric mammal life.
Fish skeletons and mammal teeth are commonly found, while rare bird fossils preserve feathers in stone, offering insights into avian evolution.
These vertebrate fossils help complete the picture of a diverse and thriving Eocene ecosystem【1】【4】【2】.

Prehistoric Environment

The fossils and geologic evidence show that Florissant was once a warm, temperate region with a rich redwood forest and diverse fauna.

Volcanic eruptions and mudflows repeatedly reshaped the landscape, burying organisms rapidly and preserving them for posterity.
The transition from a warmer Eocene climate to a cooler period is recorded in the changing fossil assemblages, showing how species adapted, moved, or went extinct.
Modern climate change is occurring much faster than the shifts recorded in the fossil beds, offering a baseline for understanding ecological responses【1】【4】【2】.

Plan Your Visit

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers a range of activities for visitors interested in fossils, hiking, history, and natural beauty.

Visitor Center

The Thomas M. Duncan Visitor Center is the gateway to the monument’s fossil treasures and trail network.

Exhibits showcase delicate insect, leaf, and fish fossils, many of which cannot be seen in the field.
An 18-minute park film provides an engaging overview of the monument’s geology, fossils, and history.
The Visitor Center features a fossil museum, a bookstore, and staff to help plan your visit.
Picnic areas near the Visitor Center provide a place to relax amid scenic mountain views【3】【11】【21】.

Petrified Forest Loop Trail

This 1-mile loop trail takes visitors close to some of the largest fossil redwood stumps in the world.

Interpretive signs explain the process of petrification and the area's volcanic history.
The trail is mostly wheelchair accessible, with a graveled path that meanders through ancient stumps and fossil-rich shale.
Notable features include the only known trio of interconnected petrified tree trunks—an extraordinary botanical fossil record.
The stumps measure up to 14 feet in diameter, representing trees that stood over 230 feet tall and lived for more than 500 years【3】【11】【21】.

Oldhoeght Trail and Silica Trail

The Oldhoeght Trail (1/2 mile) and Silica Trail (1/2 mile) offer additional opportunities to see petrified wood and fossil beds up close.

Both are self-guided trails with interpretive panels describing the geology and fossil finds.
These trails wind through areas where volcanic mudflows once buried ancient forests, preserving them for millions of years.
Silica Trail is more rugged and offers a closer look at the shale formations containing plant and insect fossils【3】【21】.

Overlook Trail

This 1.3-mile round-trip trail climbs to a viewpoint overlooking the Florissant Valley.

Interpretive signs discuss the volcanic history and how the fossil beds were formed.
The overlook provides a panoramic view of the valley, helping visitors visualize the ancient lake and volcanic landscape.
The trail is moderately strenuous and offers rewarding scenery of Pike National Forest and the surrounding mountains【3】【21】.

Additional Trails

Florissant has a total of 15 miles of interconnected hiking trails, including the Petrified Forest, Oldhoeght, Silica, and Overlook Trails, as well as longer routes like the Monument and Arrow Point Trails.

The Monument Trail (2.5 miles) leads to the Hilltop House Ranch, offering insights into pioneer life and stunning views of the fossil beds.
The Arrow Point Trail (3.2 miles) provides a deeper backcountry experience with opportunities for wildlife viewing and scenic overlooks.
All trails feature native flora and interpretive information about the region’s geology and fossil heritage【3】【21】.

Access and Hours

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is open year-round, with the Visitor Center open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on major holidays.

The monument is located about a 1-hour drive west of Colorado Springs.
Trails and outdoor areas are accessible at all times, though some may close temporarily due to weather or maintenance.
Pets are allowed only in the parking lot and a designated exercise area; they are not permitted on trails or in buildings for safety reasons【3】【11】.

Management and Preservation

The National Park Service manages Florissant Fossil Beds to preserve its unique fossil resources, ecosystems, and scenic beauty.

Ranger-led programs and educational initiatives help visitors understand the importance of fossil preservation and the monument’s history.
Ongoing research in partnership with universities helps to stabilize and conserve fragile fossils and petrified wood for future generations.
Leave No Trace principles are emphasized to protect the monument’s delicate resources and ensure a quality experience for all visitors【11】【21】【4】.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 185 Florissant, CO

Phone: 719-748-

Website: https://www.nps.gov/flfo/

Email Contact: Available via NPS Contact Page

Additional Resources

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers a rare glimpse into Earth’s deep past, allowing visitors to walk amid the remains of ancient forests and explore fossils that tell the story of a prehistoric world. Whether hiking, learning in the visitor center, or simply enjoying the scenery, every step here connects you to 34 million years of natural history!【3】【1】【4】【21】【11】

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Last updated: Sat Jun 7, 2025

National Monuments

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument