Overview
Fossil Butte National Monument is a United States national monument in Southwest Wyoming.
1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fossil Butte National Monument
Fossil research quary
If you hike to Fossil research quary in summer Friday or Saturday between 11AM and 4PM, you'll have a chance to witness fossil excavation.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Ogden)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OGD Ogden Hinckley Airport, Ogden — 79 mi away. Directions
- RKS Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport, Rock Springs — 90 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 97 mi away (major hub). Directions
The visitor center can be reached along U.S. Highway 30 about 15 miles west of Kemmerer.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Fossil Butte National Monument is a unique paleontological site, where ecosystems of the 50-million-year-old Green River Formation of the ancient subtropical lake bed were unusually well preserved. The fossils include fish, alligators, bats, turtles, dog-sized horses, insects, and many other species of plants and animals.
Climate
Expect a variety of weather conditions no matter what time of year you visit. Spring, fall and winter can be very cold; expect snow and winter conditions.
- Spring: Day time temperatures usually range from 30 to 65°F
- Summer: Day time temperatures range from 60 to 90°F
- Fall/autumn: Day time temperatures range from 45 to 70°F
- Winter: Day time temperatures range from -20 to 30°F.
Visitor information
Get in
The visitor center can be reached along U.S. Highway 30 about 15 miles west of Kemmerer.
Fees and permits
There is no fee to enter the monument. Donations are welcome.
Do
Do Fossil research quary
If you hike to Fossil research quary in summer Friday or Saturday between 11AM and 4PM, you'll have a chance to witness fossil excavation.
- Hike the 2½-mile Historic Quarry Trail or the 1½-mile Nature Trail
- Have a snack in the picnic area
Nearby
Kemmerer
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Garden City
City / town · 5 listings · 32 mi away
Evanston
City / town · 14 listings · 43 mi away
Lyman
City / town · 3 listings · 45 mi away
Logan
City / town · 25 listings · 55 mi away
Afton
City / town · 3 listings · 60 mi away
Brigham City
City / town · 14 listings · 68 mi away
Soda Springs
City / town · 11 listings · 69 mi away
My experience
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