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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Expect a variety of weather conditions no matter what time of year you visit. Spring, fall and winter can be very cold with snow and icy conditions. In spring, daytime temperatures usually range from 30 F to 65 F. Summer daytime temperatures range from 60 F to 90 F. Fall…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Wyoming. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
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
Current Alerts
Our main phone number for the visitor center is temporarily disconnected. Please call 307-877-4456 to reach a ranger.
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).
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
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…
Cundick Ridge Trail
This unmaintained trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along an old dirt road. The trail follows Cundick Ridge…
Rubey Point Trail
This unmaintained trail is 3 miles / 4.8 km round trip along an old dirt road. The hike traverses a…
Fossil Butte Visitor Center Exhibits
Stop by the visitor center to see the fossils of the animals that lived in Fossil Lake 52 million years…
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…
Historic Quarry Trail
This 2.5 mile (4 km) loop trail provides an overview of the geology and paleontology of the park and surrounding…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Ranger Programs at Fossil Butte
Fossil Butte NM offers several different programs during the summer. Ask about the schedule at the visitor center.
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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