MonumentsVisitor CentersWyoming Tag: Monument

Visiting Fossil Butte National Monument In Wyoming

  • Address: 864 Chicken Creek Road Kemmerer, WY 83101
  • Phone: (307) 877-4455
  • Website
  • Hours: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM - Visitor Center/Museum
  • Price: Free

Fossil Butte National Monument, situated in southwestern Wyoming, lies 15 miles west of Kemmerer and was designated as a national monument on October 23, 1972.

 

The fossils discovered at the monument are remnants of plants and animals that thrived around Fossil Lake, a vast freshwater body that existed 52 million years ago during the early Eocene Epoch.

The visitor center and museum display over 2,000 fossils from the Green River Formation. The museum operates year-round, with seasonal variations in hours.

 

Exhibits include the fish wall showcasing 16 fish species from the lake and the turtle wall, a standout feature for me, displaying 6 different turtle species.

 

The primitive fish exhibit includes 8 species of original fossils, while the insect case highlights various insect fossils, and the plant case features 5 fossilized plant structures.

The plant wall is particularly notable, displaying over 100 fossil leaves. The bird wall includes fossils of 4 bird species that once inhabited the area.

The mammal and reptile exhibit features 11 fossils representing 9 different species.

 

A unique highlight of our visit was the appropriately placed coprolite wall of fossils in the bathrooms. Coprolite is fossilized poop! Between the two bathrooms over 4,000 pieces of coprolite are displayed.

Another must-see is the impressive 13-foot cast of Borealosuchus wilsoni, an ancient crocodilian fossil, and the interactive virtual aquarium is a lot of fun.

 

These are just a few of the major exhibits represented in the museum. The museum holds several other dioramas, fossils, and informative displays.

The outdoor Journey Through Time Exhibit displays the timeline of planet Earth.

 

A small gift shop offers books, maps, souvenirs, and more on the national monument, and a park ranger is available to answer questions.

The monument has 4 miles of maintained trails, including the 2.5-mile Historic Quarry Trail and the 1.5-mile Fossil Butte Nature Trail, along with 3 unmaintained trails.

You can find more information about the trails here. We did not have the opportunity to hike them during our visit so unfortunately I cant offer any feedback. .

 

Fossil Butte National Monument is an excellent educational stop with a wide array of fossils to explore. The museum itself is compact, making it easy to see everything in a short amount of time.

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