National Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument

West

About Fossil Butte

In the ridges of southwest Wyoming are some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They tell the story of ancient life in a warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake. Stingrays swam in the lake. Turtles basked in the sun. Leaves rustled in the breeze while early horses darted between the trunks. We reveal more of the past with each fossil found.

From the National Park Service.

Region: West
State: Wyoming
Designation: National Monument
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Fossil Butte.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon: Sunrise to Sunset
Tue: Sunrise to Sunset
Wed: Sunrise to Sunset
Thu: Sunrise to Sunset
Fri: Sunrise to Sunset
Sat: Sunrise to Sunset
Sun: Sunrise to Sunset

Visitors may enter the park any day sunrise to sunset, but visitor services and motor vehicle access vary throughout the year. Camping is not available.

Weather and when to go

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.

Getting there

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).

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 864 Chicken Creek Road, Kemmerer, WY 83101
Phone: (307) 877-4455
Email: fobu_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/fobu

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Fossil Butte

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Fossil Butte

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Eagle Nest Point Trail

Hiking · about 1.3 hours

This unmaintained trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along an old dirt road. The trail goes along a ridge to an overlook amid limber pine and Douglas fir. The overlook provides…
Cundick Ridge Trail

Hiking · about 1.3 hours

This unmaintained trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip along an old dirt road. The trail follows Cundick Ridge to an overlook which provides an excellent view of the valley below.…
Rubey Point Trail

Hiking · about 2.3 hours

This unmaintained trail is 3 miles / 4.8 km round trip along an old dirt road. The hike traverses a ridge to an overlook which provides a panoramic view. On clear days it is possi…
Fossil Butte Visitor Center Exhibits

Museum Exhibits · about 35 min

Stop by the visitor center to see the fossils of the animals that lived in Fossil Lake 52 million years ago.
Fossil Butte Scenic Drive

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 45 min

The scenic drive is 5.5 miles one way. The road takes you to the top of the ridgeline where you get great views of the valleys below. Wayside signs interpret the landscape. The la…
Historic Quarry Trail

Hiking · about 1.3 hours

This 2.5 mile (4 km) loop trail provides an overview of the geology and paleontology of the park and surrounding area.
Ranger Programs at Fossil Butte

Guided Tours · about 45 min

Fossil Butte NM offers several different programs during the summer. Ask about the schedule at the visitor center.