Place

Fossil Butte

Fossil Butte with blue sky and fluffy white clouds above. There is sagebrush in the foreground.
The park was named after Fossil Butte.

NPS Photo

A butte is a hill with steep sides and a flat top. Fossil Butte is named after the fossils that can be found in its top layers of rock.

Fossil Butte sits just behind the visitor center and can be seen from the park road. While it appears to be a butte from these locations, it is actually a ridge that extends down along the county road. The Historic Quarry Trail takes you up this side of Fossil Butte nearly to the top. 

Fossil Butte National Monument

Last updated: March 14, 2024