Ignore the Haters: Florissant Fossil Beds Is Awesome!

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant, Colorado, boasts some of the largest petrified tree stumps in the world.

It’s very much reminiscent of Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, but I’d argue that it’s the more impressive of the two parks.

These stumps are huge, y’all. 

If you’re out there somewhere all, “What the heck is a petrified tree, and what are they even so afraid of?” I’ve got it all covered for you in this detailed guide to this special place.

Quick Tips for Your Florissant Fossil Beds Visit

Your Flight: You’re more likely to find budget-friendly flights out of Denver International Airport than Colorado Springs, the closest city to the park. Find deals to Denver using Skyscanner. Love those deals? Subscribe to Going.

Your Accommodations: We visited Florissant Fossil Beds on a day trip from Fairplay, Colorado. Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options closer to the park. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Your Ride: You’ll need a car to get to the park.  Book a rental car ahead of time.

Top Spots: You’re here for the fossil beds. Meet The Trio, see the Big Stump, and walk the Geologic Trail.

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Where is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument?

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is in a grassy mountain valley in Florissant, naturally. This unincorporated town in central Colorado lies in Teller County. You’ll find it west of Colorado Springs.

A woman poses with petrified stumps at Florissant Fossil Beds.

What is Florissant Fossil Beds known for?

Florissant Fossil Beds is known for its diverse fossil deposits and variety of petrified stumps and fossilized insects and plants from prehistoric eras.

The monument is a great representation of the diversity and richness of fossil evidence in the state of Colorado. Actually, I’m not even giving this place enough credit here. These are some of the richest fossil deposits in the world.

There are so many fossils in Colorado because of something called the Denver Formation. About 70 million years ago, the Rocky Mountains started to rise, forming what would become the Front Range. 

Waterways flowing off this range created the Denver Formation, a silty, sandy stretch of land that just so happened to be super hospitable to fossilization

A large petrified stump at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Much of the state of Colorado also used to be underwater. If you could take a time machine to 92 million years ago, you’d be surrounded by sandy beaches, rivers, and lakes that ebbed and flowed based on the glacial activity of the day.

It wasn’t all a beach party, though.

Volcanic activity off the shores contributed to an environment that probably wasn’t ideal for life back then but was pretty close to perfect for the petrification of trees. This is similar to what was going on at the John Day Fossil Beds in Oregon.

Fun fact: When I talk about “petrified” redwood trees, all I mean is fossilized wood. Petrification is when trees and plants turn to stone thanks to a mineralization process. You could say Medusa was pretty good at petrification.

The Florissant Fossil Beds are super old.

The Florissant Fossil Beds are at least 34 million years old if evidence of plant life there is to be believed. The late Eocene Epoch dominates the fossil history at Florissant. 

During this time, marshy, wet valley plants dominated the landscape down below and the large redwoods that you can see petrified today dominated the skies.

READ MORE: Love this kind of stuff? Learn about the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa City, Iowa.

Signage describes the history of Florissant Fossil Beds.

Things to Do at Florissant Fossil Beds

You should spend at least a few hours at the park.

Two hours will give you time to explore the visitors center for a brief overview and one of the short, easy hikes around the park. With more time, you can take a deeper dive with one of the longer hikes or spend more time with the fossil experts on hand.

Start at the visitor center.

The visitor center at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument visitor center is modest in size but full of helpful information about what you’ll see outside. 

Three unique specimens you’ll learn about include pirate perch and sucker fish carved into the shale, fossilized dragonflies and ancient beetles, and those petrified stumps.

Fun fact: If you’d like, they’ll run a movie for you to kick off your adventure.

While you’re in there, don’t miss the insect displays of fossils they’ve found in the park over the years.

If you have questions about fossils at the park and available hiking trails or are still confused about petrified trees, the rangers there are super helpful. There was an additional table with paleontology experts just outside the visitor center on our trip.

Explore the outdoor exhibits.

The Trio at Florissant Fossil Beds

There are quite a few goodies just outside of the visitor center where you can start your admiration for those giant petrified tree stumps.

You’ll meet The Trio, a threesome of stumps that all came from the same tree, along with frustrating exhibits about what folks used to do in the park.

Spoiler alert: They used to chop up the stumps for fun. We’re lucky there’s anything left for us to visit.

See the Big Stump.

Signage about the largest petrified stump at Florissant Fossil Beds

An easy 1.1-mile loop along the Colorado Petrified Forest Loop is the best introductory hike at Florissant Fossil Beds.

The payoff is pretty great. You’ll get to see the Big Stump, one of the largest fossils in the park at 12 feet in diameter. 

He’s not the only game in town, though. The loop will take you to several more petrified stumps that seem just as impressive. You’ll know when you’re at something special if it’s fenced off for their safety.

Hit the trails.

Information about prehistoric history at Florissant Fossil Beds

There are over 14 miles of interconnected trails at the fossil park for you to choose from. You should start with the Petrified Forest Loop to see the most popular petrified stumps in the park, but there are more treks available if you have more time.

All trails below are shown with roundtrip mileage:

  • Ponderosa Loop (0.4 miles): This wheelchair-accessible path passes the expected fossilized tree stumps with additional signage about more modern inhabitants of the park, like the ponderosa pines and spruce trees.
  • Geologic Trail (1.2 miles): I love a nice trail with interpretive signage. Learn about wooly mammoths and ancient lake beds along this hike. You have about 100 feet of elevation on this one in a short distance, so bring the water.
  • Hornbek Trail (3.9 miles): This trail takes you to the Hornbek Homestead, a structure that’s been here since 1878. This is a moderate trail thanks to 322 feet of elevation gain, but you’ll pass through plenty of flat bits near the meadows. 

Note: If you’re all for homesteads but not interested in hiking, you can still see the historical site with less effort. Drive a mile north of the national monument to access the Hornbek Homestead with zero hiking involved. Did you run out of time? Check out the virtual tour of the site from the NPS.

  • Sawmill Trail (2.6 miles): Pass through sweet-smelling forests and potential elk spotting on this moderate trail. If you want to add about 1.3 miles to this one, tack on the Hans Loop for views of Pikes Peak.
  • Boulder Creek Trail (3 miles):  This loop trail takes you through ponderosa pine forests, meadows, and views of large granite borders with about 265 feet of elevation gain.
  • Shootin’ Star Trail (2.6 miles): Cross streams and look for signs of bygone years — and farming activity in particular — on this moderate trail. Expect just over 150 of elevation gain on this one.
  • Twin Rock Trail (5 miles): You can link up with this one from the Shootin’ Star or Hornbek trails. As I said, these trails are interconnected. While this is the longest trail in the park, it’s still moderate with just 280 feet of elevation change.

Visit the learning lab.

A meadow at Florissant Fossil Beds

If you’re at the Florissant Fossil Beds in the peak summer months, they’ll likely have a yurt set up for additional hands-on learning.

The learning lab is a great stop to make if you’re traveling with curious youngsters (or adults, really) who want to know more about digging efforts at the park.

Sit in on a ranger talk.

The nearby amphitheater is also an option for additional activities if you time your visit right. That’s where they host ranger talks about things going on at the Florissant Fossil Beds, which could be of interest to the Junior Rangers out there.

Check out the park’s events calendar for planned activities at the park. Their Night Sky Programs are particularly popular, as Florissant is pretty lucky when it comes to dark skies ideal for star activity.

You can’t dig for fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds.

The remains of a stump at Florissant Fossil Beds

That work is left to the professionals.

To preserve the integrity of what you’ll see there, some of the petrified stumps have been returned to their natural state over the years. That means the National Park Service has stopped digging up stumps in some of the more delicate areas of the park. 

If you really have a hankering for digging, you can visit the Florissant Fossil Quarry a little over two miles north of the monument.

It’s a popular stop for families traveling to Florissant with kids or anyone who wants to get more immersive with some fossil hunting. 

Whether you’re there for a short trip or a half-day adventure, every explorer gets a set of instructions, fossil hunting tools, and fossil-rich shale to split and examine for fossils.

How to Get to Florissant Fossil Beds 

A scenic viewpoint at Florissant Fossil Beds

We visited the fossil beds after a day trip to Pikes Peak from nearby Fairplay, but that’s probably not where you’re coming from.

If you’re not already in the area, you’ll likely want to get to Colorado Springs first. Colorado Springs Airport is an option if you’re looking for direct flights, and it’s less than an hour’s drive to the park from there.

READ MORE: We really like Colorado Springs, visiting it a few times over the years. Check out our guide to the city.

You’re more likely to find good deals out of Denver International Airport if you’re seeking budget airfare. It’s about two hours from Denver to Florissant.

Once you’re parked in the lot near the visitors center, Florissant Fossil Beds is best explored on your feet.

What to Bring to Florissant Fossil Beds

If you have an America the Beautiful pass, show it inside at the visitors center before you get started with your day. While this one isn’t a national park, it’s still covered by national park passes.

Otherwise, you’ll pay a very reasonable fee of $10 to explore the monument.

As far as other things to bring along to make for a successful visit, sunscreen and water are always a good idea if you’re hitting the trails. We didn’t get too aggressive on our visit, but it did get warm once that afternoon sun hit. There isn’t much shade here.

Note: We spent about a month in the mountains of Fairplay and could count the number of completely dry days on one hand. Be prepared for inclement weather, especially if you’re visiting Florissant Fossil Beds in the afternoon when thunderstorms are more common.

More to Do Near Florissant Fossil Beds

If you have more time in the area, many attractions await beyond Florissant:

  • Visit Colorado Springs. Highlights like the Garden of the Gods, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, and Red Rock Canyon await just 45 minutes away from Florissant.
  • Take a trip up to Pikes Peak. See America’s Mountain, the inspiration for “America the Beautiful.” Just make sure you’re with someone who knows how to shift gears appropriately. You’ll need to stop for a brake check on the way down.
  • Test your fear of heights at Royal Gorge Bridge. Walk the subtly swinging bridge hanging over the Arkansas River in Cañon City. This theme park of bridges is just an hour’s drive from Florissant.
  • See the inspiration for South Park. We spent a full month in Fairplay, and it still didn’t feel like enough. The hiking in and around the small mountain town is tremendous. Get there in under an hour from Florissant.
  • Hike in Pike National Forest. You’re surrounded by the Pike-San Isabel National Forests in Florissant. Find a quiet corner on the region’s best trails. If you haven’t had your fix of old trees yet, don’t miss the 3.5-mile Limber Grove Trail.

Where to Stay Near Florissant Fossil Beds

You’re probably not coming from Fairplay we we did. Colorado Springs offers more options for accommodations within an easy drive of the park.

If you want to stay closer to the fossil action, there are a few places closer to Florissant and nearby towns like Woodland for your overnights.

They’ll look more like cabins and vacation rentals than traditional hotels, but doesn’t that sound great?

Use the map below to get started:

Florissant Fossil Beds is very much worth visiting.

Even if you only have a passing interest in fossils, seeing the enormous petrified tree stumps here is a treat.

The park also offers quite a few hiking opportunities for you to engage in while you’re here imagining what it may have been like for creatures during the Eocene Epoch.

It sounds nerdy, but we definitely had a great time.

Planning a road trip? Check out these stops nearby:

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Agnes Groonwald

Agnes Groonwald is the creator of Travel on the Reg, a travel/humor blog for regular people who travel in a regular fashion. She has been to 50/50 U.S. states and explored 30+ countries, most often as a digital nomad. She's all about sharing the honest truth about travel, real experiences, and all the quirky stuff about her favorite (and not so favorite) places.