Fossil Butte National Monument

United_States

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

thumbnail 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.

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

  • 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.

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.

  • 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.
  • Hike the 2½-mile Historic Quarry Trail or the 1½-mile Nature Trail
  • Have a snack in the picnic area

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.