General information about the National Monument
The National Monument protects a high plateau located west of Pikes Peak. It contains one of the largest quantities of fossils ever found on earth.
Number of visitors
Best time to visit: This place is beautiful all year round.
Our visits:
So far 1 visit: October 2012
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 10$/person/day
- Covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open all year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Petrified Forest Loop
Description: Florissant Fossil Beds NM is home to one of the largest and most diverse collections of fossils in the world. To date, over 1700 different species have been found here. Since 1969 Florissant Fossil Beds is a National Monument.
Our rating: Here in the area of the Petrified Forest Loop you find an especially high accumulation of petrified trees. You walk across a large plateau past the various exhibits. If you have already been to the Petrified Forest NP, this is probably not very impressive and spectacular, but if you are in the area anyway, you can risk a little look.
Adeline Hornbeck Homestead
Description: Adeline Hornbeck, was a woman with four children who claimed and purchased land here under the Homestead Act. At the time, that was still something special for single women. The story of Adeline Hornbeck.
Our rating: If you are interested in the history of the early settlers, you will surely like this place. It's not a spectacular location, but its beautiful location alone makes it worth a little detour.
