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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a National Monument in Colorado run as part of the U.S. National Park System[4]. NPS lists an entrance fee of $10 per adult age 16 or older, and kids 15 and younger get in free[5].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[7].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
In 2025 the busiest month was June with 12,366 recreation visits, and the quietest was October with 300[1]. NPS lists summer highs averaging 75 degrees F and lows of 40 degrees F[10]. Winter highs average 40 degrees F and lows 5 degrees F[10]. In the winter season starting September 14, 2026, NPS lists the Visitor Center as shut on Mondays and Tuesdays[11]. NPS says the gate to the Visitor Center lot is locked every day at 4:30 pm[11]. The Hornbek Homestead lot is open around the clock, so park there if your hike may run late[11]. NPS lists closures on Veterans Day (2026-11-11), Thanksgiving Day (2026-11-26), Christmas Day (2026-12-25) and New Year's Day (2027-01-01)[11].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 1,199 |
| February | 4,236 |
| March | 4,686 |
| April | 3,050 |
| May | 5,968 |
| June | 12,366 |
| July | 11,262 |
| August | 9,546 |
| September | 7,179 |
| October | 300 |
| November | 1,708 |
| December | 2,180 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets in permitted areas must be kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less, and pets are not allowed in public buildings[12]. Each park can close more areas to pets[12]. NPS lists 3 things to do here, and pets are permitted on 0 of them[13].
Before you go
- Entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[8].
- The $10 admission is good for 7 days[5].
- The Annual Entrance - Park pass costs $35 and NPS says it covers the card holder plus 3 more adults[6].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass[7]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[9].
- Fees and hours change, so check the official NPS park page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Florissant Fossil Beds?
- NPS lists $10 per adult age 16 or older, with kids 15 and younger admitted free[5]. Admission is good for 7 days[5].
- Can I use an America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS lists that the park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[7]. The Resident Annual Pass costs $80[9].
- Are dogs allowed at Florissant Fossil Beds?
- NPS lists pets as permitted on 0 of its 3 listed things to do[13]. The national rule requires a leash no longer than six feet where pets are allowed[12].
- What is the busiest month at Florissant Fossil Beds?
- In 2025 the busiest month was June with 12,366 recreation visits[1].
- Can I pay with cash at the entrance?
- NPS says entrance fees are cashless, so use a card or mobile payment[8].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 75,128, 2022: 67,174, 2023: 63,739, 2024: 71,499, 2025: 63,680. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Florissant Fossil Beds Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Colorado. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Hours: The Visitor Center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter season beginning September 14, 2026. Check the Visitor Center hours section for more information. The Visitor Center parking lot gate is locked daily at 4:30 pm. Be... National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 3 things to do at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: Hiking the Petrified Forest Loop, Hiking the Ponderosa Loop Trail, Hiking the Geologic Trail. Pets permitted on 0 of them. National Park Service