Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a fossils site in Teller County, Colorado. It covers 5,998 acres (2,427 ha) in a mountain valley. Designated a national monument on 20 August, 1969, Florissant Fossil Beds is noted for its rich showcase of prehistoric life.

The outstanding feature of Florissant Fossil Beds is the highly detailed fossils of ancient plants and insects trapped in huge, petrified redwoods. They provide a glimpse into the area 35 million years ago.

Petrified Redwood in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petrified_Redwood.jpg
Author: Jeff Kramer


At the bottom of a lake in the national monument are fine-grained sediments holding the remains of countless insects and plants. The sediments have compated to form layers of shale.

Visiting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado

This national monument is located just south of the town of Florissant, rached via US Highway 24. From town, head south on Teller County Rd 1 till you arrive at the monument. The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in summer and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in the other seasons, and is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Entrance fee is $3.00 per person aged 16 and above.

Petrified stumps at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Florisant.jpg
Author: Chackerman

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