About Fossil Butte National Monument
In the ridges of southwest Wyoming are some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They tell the story of ancient life in a warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake. Stingrays swam in the lake. Turtles basked in the sun. Leaves rustled in the breeze while early horses darted between the trunks. We reveal more of the past with each fossil found.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
Visitors may enter the park any day sunrise to sunset, but visitor services and motor vehicle access vary throughout the year. Camping is not available.
Activities
Getting There
By car: Travel 9 miles west of Kemmerer, Wyoming on U.S. Highway 30. There is a highway sign near mile post 44; turn right onto Lincoln County Road 300. The Historic Quarry Trail is approximately 1/2 mile on the right. Continue west on County Road 300 for approximately 1.5 miles to Chicken Creek Road which provides access to the visitor center, scenic drive, Nature Trail and picnic area. Closest airports: Rock Springs, Wyoming (130 miles); Salt Lake City, Utah (150 miles).
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Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Eagle Nest Point Trail
This unmaintained trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along an old dirt road. The trail goes along a…
A 2 mile (3.2 km) round-trip hike with minimal elevation gain beginning at an elevation of 7800 ft (2390 m).
Cundick Ridge Trail
This unmaintained trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along an old dirt road. The trail follows Cundick Ridge…
This 2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip hike has minimal elevation gain and begins at an elevation of 7800 ft (2390 m).
Rubey Point Trail
This unmaintained trail is 3 miles / 4.8 km round trip along an old dirt road. The hike traverses a…
The trail is 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip with minimal elevation gain and begins at an elevation of 7900 ft (2408…
Historic Quarry Trail
This 2.5 mile (4 km) loop trail provides an overview of the geology and paleontology of the park and surrounding…
A 2.5 mile (4 km) loop trail gaining almost 700 feet (213 m) in elevation beginning at an elevation of…
Fossil Butte Nature Trail
This 1.5 mile (2.4 km) loop trail winds through sagebrush steppe and aspen groves. The signs discuss the ecosystems of…
This 1.5 mile (2.4 km) loop trail gains almost 300 feet (91 m) and begins at an elevation of 7000 ft…
Fossil Butte Scenic Drive
The scenic drive is 5.5 miles one way. The road takes you to the top of the ridgeline where you…
Visitor Centers
Fossil Butte Visitor Center
Over 2000 fossils are on exhibit. Video programs feature what scientists have learned from the fossils and the rocks they're found in, and how fossils…
Hours: SUMMER HOURS: Friday of Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day: daily 8:00 am - 5:30 pm FALL HOURS: Tuesday after Labor Day - Oct. 31: daily 8:00 am - 4:30 pm WINTER HOURS: Nov. 1 - April 30: daily 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (Closed Sundays) SPRING HOURS: May 1 - Thursday before Memorial Day: daily 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CLOSED Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr., and President's Day
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