Florissant Fossil Beds

About Florissant Fossil Beds

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument preserves one of the world's most comprehensive fossil deposits from the late Eocene epoch, approximately 34 million years ago. The site contains exceptionally well-preserved fossils of insects, plants, fish, birds, and mammals in ancient lake bed shales. Managed by the National Park Service, the monument features petrified redwood stumps and offers visitors a unique window into ancient ecosystems. The fossils provide crucial scientific evidence of climate change and evolution during a pivotal period in Earth's history.