Florissant Fossil Quarry
Florissant, Colorado
fossil leavesfossil insectsfossil seedsfreshwater snails
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Florissant Fossil Quarry
The national monument next door protects its petrified redwood stumps and forbids all collecting; this private quarry sits on the same 34-million-year-old lake shale and hands you a slab to split. Fine volcanic ash settled through that Eocene lake and preserved leaves, seeds, snails, and insects down to the wing veins of a fly. Bring cash - they take nothing else - and ask for a box, because the shale is fragile and wants wrapping before it rides home.
The card catalog
| What you can find | fossil leaves, fossil insects, fossil seeds, freshwater snails |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | $20 per collector per hour, children under 5 free. CASH ONLY. All tools, instruction, and fossil-bearing shale are included, along with a box and wrapping materials for your finds. |
| Season & hours | Confirmed open for the 2026 season. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day; closed Sundays. After September it is open by appointment only. Occasional closures for offsite events, so call ahead. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Splitting paper shale takes patience rather than strength, so small hands do as well as adults. An hour is plenty for most children, and the quarry guarantees you find something. Under-5s are free. |
| Official source | Florissant Fossil Quarry (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Florissant Fossil Quarry cost?
$20 per collector per hour, children under 5 free. CASH ONLY. All tools, instruction, and fossil-bearing shale are included, along with a box and wrapping materials for your finds. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Florissant Fossil Quarry open?
Confirmed open for the 2026 season. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day; closed Sundays. After September it is open by appointment only. Occasional closures for offsite events, so call ahead. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Florissant Fossil Quarry good for kids?
Yes — Florissant Fossil Quarry works for families. Splitting paper shale takes patience rather than strength, so small hands do as well as adults. An hour is plenty for most children, and the quarry guarantees you find something. Under-5s are free.