Park Passport

Fossil Butte National Monument WY

Lat, Long: 41.85635223, -110.7624754

Designation: National Monument

Some of the world's best preserved fossils are found in the flat-topped ridges of southwestern Wyoming's cold sagebrush desert. Fossilized fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals are exceptional for their abundance, variety, and detail of preservation. Most remarkable is the story they tell of ancient life in the warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake.

Weather:

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 daytime temperatures range from 45 F to 70 F. Winter daytime temperatures range from -20 F to 30 F.

Directions:

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).

For more details ›

Address/Contact:

864 Chicken Creek Road

Kemmerer, US, 83101

Phone: 3078774455

Email: fobu_information@nps.gov

Entrance Fees:

Fish fossils, Knightia eocaena, exposed near cliffa well preserved fossil fish, Cockerellites liopsfossil palm frondA scenic view of Fossil Basin in early summer; yellow limestone, red mudstones and green vegetationvisitor center with Fossil Butte in the backgroundThe moon rises just to the right of snow-covered Fossil Butte.