Fossil Butte National Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument is a United States National Monument in Southwest Wyoming.

Understand

Fossil Butte National Monument is a unique paleontological site, where ecosystems of the 50-million-year-old Green River Formation of the ancient subtropical lake bed were unusually well preserved. The fossils include fish, alligators, bats, turtles, dog-sized horses, insects, and many other species of plants and animals.

Get in

The visitor center can be reached along U.S. Highway 30 about 15 miles west of Kemmerer.

Fees and permits

There is no fee to enter the monument. Donations are welcome.

Get around

See

• Visitor Center. May-September: daily 9AM-5:30PM; Oct-Nov 29: daily 8AM-4:30PM; Nov 30-Mar 7: Tu-Sa 8AM-4:30PM, closed holidays; Mar 8-Apr: daily 8AM-4:30PM. There are over 300 fossils on display, two video programs and fossil preparation demonstrations. (updated Oct 2015)

Do

• Fossil research quary. If you hike to Fossil research quary in summer Friday or Saturday between 11AM and 4PM, you'll have a chance to witness fossil excavation. (updated Oct 2015)
• Hike the 2½-mile Historic Quarry Trail or the 1½-mile Nature Trail
• Have a snack in the picnic area

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