A typical visit to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is about 1.5 - 2 hours. We recommend that all visitors begin their visit at the visitor center.

At the visitor center, you will receive orientation information and you can see geologic exhibits and fossil displays. We recommend seeing the 14 minute orientation film. The bookstore and bathrooms are also located here.

Behind the visitor center is an outdoor exhibit area where you can see petrified redwood tree stumps and associated exhibits. In the summer, rangers give hourly talks in the amphitheater which is also in the outdoor exhibit area.

From the outdoor exhibit area you will have access to two self-guided trails called the Ponderosa Loop Trail and the Petrified Forest Trail. The Monument has 14 miles of hiking trails.