fossil butte national monument

am_到到

随便网上看到的攻略提到此处，正好位于去黄石的路途中，于是我们便拐了个小弯，多走160mile来到此处。感觉就是震撼二字，看着眼前的荒草，想象着数亿年前的海底，思绪尽情穿越。一个游客中心也是研究者的工作室，可以有耐心的教授给科普呢。

770randyl

If fossils have ever been an interest of yours, you owe it to yourself to visit this national monument. The hills around this site have been and are being mined for fossil fish which are sold around the world. Fortunately this site is preserving these creatures while offering an absolutely amazing variety for display. From the small to the large, these fossils will definitely prove an eye-opener for children. The visitor center is first rate!

bachmann_heinz

Absolutely brilliant place, which we found almost by accident. Beautyful area and stunning wildlife as well, not just fossils of unsurpassed quality.

rodp230

As is the case with most National Parks entrance fees are minimal. We didn't brace the cold on our visit but they have several hiking trails. The visitor center is very nice and modern. It is filled with information, and the staff were friendly and helpful. If you have small children or even young teenagers check out the junior ranger program. It is a fun way for the kids to learn, and earn a junior ranger badge or patch. They won't even mind that it's educational. Good way to get out of the car for a few hours on a road trip with out breaking the bank. Only down side is that it is a ways off I 80 and really isn't near anything.

phinaeus

After the high mountains of the north of Wyoming the more desolate southern areas have less varied scenery but, there are those dinosaur mines. Fossil Bute is well worth a visit. There is an interesting walkway as you approach, running round the centre dated through the epocs, distances between signs relating to measures of geological time. the audiovisuals are interesting as are the fossil specimens. At least this is government/ state owned and run and not like the commercial dinosaur enterprises in the area which one cannot help feeling should be controlled or limited by SSI classification

tripsahoy16

We stopped here along our travels since we are always looking for interesting natural or historical sites. This was not as impressive as some, but, nonetheless, did not disappoint. It is a huge area which looks, on approach, like circle of high plateaus. When we arrived, we found that this is where largest fresh water fish fossil deposits were discovered and excavated. The buttes are limestone formations which comprised a lakebed from millions of years ago. The visitor center contains large exhibits of fossils and a geological history of the area. The rangers here are very friendly and cater to everyone, young and old! We viewed the area from the boardwalks around the visitor center, but you can hike, do a scenic ride or picnic also. Worth the stop if you have the time and the bonus it, it's free!

mamacroc

We were here in the off season, so no active fossil digs, but even still, this place is awesome. It was about an hour's drive from where we stayed at Bear Lake and totally worth the drive. The visitor center staff - for the most part - were friendly and helpful. One in particular, sorry I can't remember his name, was very patient as he showed my 3 yr. old how to do a fossil rubbing, then switched out another rubbing plate so my 2 yr. old could pick her own fish for her rubbing. There's also a big felt wall where kids can put together fabric fossils. The displays are cool, and the nature trail hike was spectacular. If you go when it's warm make sure to take plenty of water. Also, if you have bad knees, be advised the top of the trail gets pretty steep, but not for very long. My 3 yr. old made the walk all the way to the top (but needed to piggyback down) while the 2 yr. old made it about 2/3 of the way up before she needed a ride the rest of the way. We'll definitely be back to do the scenic drive and plan to visit when we can visit the actual fossil sites.

mensa58

I thought I'd reviewed this from my 2013 visit but just realized I hadn't. (the dropdown menu won't let me choose July 2013)Fossil Butte is a wonderful stopover in the middle of nowhere. The visitors center and immediate surroundings has some wonderful exhibits, and very knowledgeable park rangers are there to give further explanations if you want. I didn't do the scenic drive, but I did the shorter hike. Tip -- if you haven't packed food, stop at the Subway or Chevron convenience store in Diamondville and pick up sandwiches to bring with you. There's a nice little picnic area a short drive from the visitor's center and a 1-mile trail right next to it. I didn't do the longer trail as my lungs couldn't take much hiking at that altitude.If you don't do the hikes or scenic drive you can view this in an hour or two, but if you want to do the hikes allow a couple hours extra.Best of all -- as others have posted, it's free! Items in the gift shop are very reasonably priced.

LissaM635

This is one of those places we didn't know existed, but we spotted the signs on the highway, checked the hours online, and arrived just as the staff unlocked the gate. We're both very interested in geology and the fossil record, and finding so much wonderful information in one place was amazing. You won't believe the exhibits, the sheer number of different fossilized plants and animals here. The staff is very knowledgeable and eager to help explain the site. Take the time to check out the visitor center and the videos, and if you have the time, the scenic drive and walks are also worthwhile.

AF_Hiker

The visitor's center is nicely set up, and has a great variety of fossils on display. The 13-foot Alligator fossil was cool to see (millions of years ago, this area was an ocean). There is a scenic driving tour, as well as two hiking trails. However, there are no fossils to be seen on the trails. The monument is out in the middle of nowhere, but worth a visit if you are in the area. If anything, at least stop by and see the visitor's center.

Bagan

Fascinating and well-explained story of how this site is a comprehensive snapshot of the ecosystem of a vast tropical lake 50 million years ago. The Nature Trail Hike is good exercise and takes you into lovely scenery. The entire site is awe-inspiring in its beauty and geologic story. Take the Scenic Drive on the site near dusk or early AM and you might see moose, other wildlife.

814MW

Very enthusiastic, young ranger gave presentation about the digs in the area, the equipment being used, history and geology of the area. First-hand watch as he demonstrated some of the equipment and answered lots of questions. Would be especially great for kids!

bubba65

The visitors center is small, thus a limited number of fossils are on display. However, they are interesting and you can get close to really see them. Also, being able to actually see someone working to get a fossil out of the rock around it was very interesting. Had no idea how this was done and what was involved. It was raining lightly the day I was there, thus did not get out and see anything on the trails.One last thing, the ability to make a rubbing of a fossil was unique once in a life time event.

LindaF954

We live about 3 hours away from here and and never been to see it until Labor Day weekend 2014. Its quite small, but very interesting and they have fossil's that we had never seen before. As a "destination" trip I wouldn't recommend it, but as a "stop by to check it out" it was great! There a quarries in the area where you can go can dig your own fossils if you are willing to pay the price, we had another destination on this trip so we didn't do that, but we do intend to go back for the "full experience" If you are any where in the area it is well worth your time to stop by!

Americangirl52

We made a wrong turn and ended up just a few miles from this. We decided to stop in. Wow, it was wonderful. It is not a huge place, but we spent a couple of hours. There is a beautiful scenic drive. If you are close, stop by.