Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
While my in-laws were in town, we stopped at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument before we went to Cripple Creek. It preserves a grouping of fossilized redwood trees and other (mainly insect) fossils after a volcanic eruption resulted in a the formation of an ancient lake. The park has several hiking trails that allow you to get up close and personal with the various fossils.
Address and Location
You’ll find Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument two miles outside the town of Florrisant on Teller County Road 1. I would recommend following the NPS directions or local signs if your GPS doesn’t have the location saved.
Cost
Adults over 16 years old can purchase daily access passes for $10. These are good for seven days. Kids under 16 are free. You can also purchase an annual pass for $35. As always, America the Beautiful pass holders get in free.
What to do
Take a stroll through the Visitor’s Center. They have exhibits on the history of the geology of the area and the fossils found in the park. From there, head outside. You can choose from several hiking trails. The last time we were up here, it snowed several inches the night before so the park wasn’t in the optimal hiking condition. On this trip, we hiked the main mile or so loop out to the biggest fossilized tree. The weather was great, and the hike was a nice, easy stroll. I love Florissant because it has amazing views. The sky seems more intensely blue, and you get the wide, sweeping vistas that come with elevation of close to 10,000 feet above sea level.
Colorado National Park Service sites: Rocky Mountain National Park – Dream Lake | Mesa Verde National Park | Canyon of the Ancients National Monument | Great Sand Dunes National Park
