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/Permits

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

See

• Visitor Center. May-September: daily 09 am-5:30 pm; Oct-Nov 29: daily 08 am-4:30 pm; Nov 30-Mar 7: Tu-Sa 08 am-4:30 pm, closed holidays; Mar 8-Apr: daily 08 am-4:30 pm. 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 11 am and 4 pm, you'll have a chance to witness fossil excavation. (updated Oct 2015)
• Hike the 2.5 mile Historic Quarry Trail or the 1.5-mile Nature Trail
• Become a Junior or Senior Ranger
• Have a snack in the picnic Area