News Release

florissant fossil beds is beginning to increase recreational access to the main parking lot and associated outdoor exhibits and self-guided trails on June 8th

Date: June 4, 2020
Contact: Jeff Wolin, [phone] ext. 202

Florissant, CO – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Florissant Fossil Beds is increasing recreational access and some basic services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Monday, June 8th, Florissant Fossil Beds will reopen access to:  
 

• The main entrance road and parking lot, picnic area, pet exercise area, limited bathroom facilities, and easy access to the main outdoor exhibit area and self-guided trails.

In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:   
 

• All 14 miles of the Monument’s trails are open and can still be accessed at the Hornbek Homestead parking lot and Barksdale picnic area.
   

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
 

• The Visitor Center which includes the Rocky Mountain Conservancy bookstore, exhibits, and the park film.

A daily entrance fee of $10.00 per adult (15 and younger are free) is required. Interagency Passes are accepted, issued, and/or are sold by credit card payment only.  Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers 14 miles of beautiful, yet lesser known, hiking trails to explore, a free Junior Ranger Program, and three short-self guided trails. For additional information, please call [phone] or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook or Twitter at /FlorissantNPS
 

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Florissant Fossil Beds, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and these facilities and services will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.   

We have amazing virtual experiences of Florissant Fossil Beds, all of the time, so for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time check out https://www.nps.gov/flfo/learn/virtually-experience-florissant-fossil-beds.htm
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/flfo and our Facebook and Twitter pages (@florissantnps). Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
www.nps.gov


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.