Safety

A backpack, water bottle, hat, sunscreen and bug spray on a wall with Fossil Butte behind.
Pack safety essentials for your hike including water, a hat, sunscreen, and bugspray.

NPS Photo

Visitor safety is our priority at Fossil Butte National Monument. Report safety hazards to an employee or volunteer.

Hiking

  • Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear.
  • Carry plenty of water.
  • Protect yourself from the sun and insects.
  • Be aware of elevation gains and steep downhill sections.
  • Avoid hiking during thunderstorms. Lightning can be dangerous as far as 10 miles away.
  • Trails, boardwalks, and bridges are slippery when wet or frosty. Use caution.
  • Keep dogs on a leash.

Driving

  • Use caution on gravel roads; they may be impassible when wet; loose gravel can cause rollovers.
  • Some gravel roads are narrow with steep grades (17%).
  • Drive cautiously and courteously.
  • Watch for animals on the road, especially at night.
  • Drive defensively and wear seat belts.
  • Obey posted speed limits.

Wildlife

  • Do not approach or feed wildlife.
  • Mountain lion, black bear, and moose habitat exists in the park. Be observant during your visit and report any sightings or encounters.
  • If camping on nearby public lands, keep a clean camp, and store food and garbage out of the reach of bears.
  • No venomous snakes live here.

Insects

  • Mosquitoes, deer flies, horse flies, and wood ticks are bothersome in the spring and summer months.
  • Use insect repellent for protection.

Pets

  • Leaving your pet in a closed vehicle during the warm summer days is dangerous. Open windows more than a crack and check on them often.
  • Please keep pets under physical restraint at all times and clean up after them.
  • Do not allow your pet to harass wildlife.

Weather

  • The weather can change rapidly. It can be 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) one day and 30 degrees F (-1 degrees C) and snowing the next, even in July.
  • Strong winds are common.
  • Thunderstorms move in rapidly. Avoid ridgelines and tall trees. Keep your eyes on the sky.
  • Weather information is available at the visitor center or by checking the National Weather Service webpage.

Elevation

  • Monument elevations range between 6,600 ft (2012 m) and 8,000 ft (2438 m) in a desert. You will get sunburned and dehydrated more easily than at lower elevations. The air is also much thinner than at lower elevations and can put more strain on you.
  • Be aware of your physical limitations and drink plenty of fluids to avoid the dehydrating effects of our dry desert climate.
  • Stop and rest frequently.

Emergency

  • Call 911
  • Sheriff 307-877-3971
  • Cell phone coverage is spotty

Last updated: August 8, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 592
Kemmerer, WY 83101

Phone:

307 877-4455

Contact Us