Last updated: October 27, 2023
Thing to Do
Ranger Programs at Fossil Butte
One of the best ways to experience a national park site is by participating in a ranger program. Fossil Butte National Monument offers a variety of ranger programs during in the summer months.
Fossil Preparation Demonstrations
Fossils are often removed from the ground with a layer of rock covering the fossil. Watch a ranger use special tools to carefully remove the rock layer and prepare a fossil for display. This program is offered most days during the summer.
Fossil Quarry Program (Summer Only)
Ever wonder how fossils are found and collected? Join us in the Research Quarry and learn all about the real life work of a paleontologist and our ongoing research.
This program is available Fridays and Saturdays from June 23, 2023 through August 12, 2023 11 am to 3 pm. Prepare to hike a 1/2 mile up-hill, gaining about 300 feet in elevation. Be aware that there is no shade, water, or restrooms available at the quarry. Restrooms are available at the start of the Nature Trail, where you will begin this walk. Wear comfortable hiking boots and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. If you have not been to the quarry before, we suggest stopping by the Visitor Center for specific directions.
All fossils found and collected will remain in Fossil Butte's museum collection for scientific study. There are private, commercial quarries in the area where you can pay to dig for fossils. For information on private quarries, please visit the Fossil Basin Promotion Board webpage.
Reservations are not required. If you want to see the data from the fossils collected in the quarry, download the Fossil Lake Quarry Data Spreadsheet (Excel 248 kb). If you do not see recent data, check back as the document is updated periodically.
Ranger Talks
Learn about the fossils or geology of Fossil Butte in this 15-25 minute program. Offered weekends and some weekdays during the summer.
Details
Activity
Guided Tours
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Pets are not allowed in the visitor center. On trails and anywhere else in the park, they must be on a 6-foot-or-less leash and under control at all times. Please pick up after pets and dispose in trash cans.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Reservations
No
Season
Summer
Accessibility Information
Fossil preparation is done inside the visitor center, which is a ramp-accessible building with push buttons to open the front doors and restroom doors. The fossil preparation is shown on a video screen and a ranger will talk and answer questions as they prepare the fossils. The tools can be a bit noisy at times.
The fossil quarry program is located about halfway up a 1.5 mile / 2.4 km loop trail. The trail is steep, gaining 350 ft / 106 m, and narrow. This dirt trail is not accessible to strollers or wheelchairs. At the quarry there is a bench, but no shade. The ranger will talk, demonstrate how the fossils are found and how the data is recorded, and answer questions.
The ranger talk is done just outside the visitor center. There is a stone wall that people can sit on but no shade. The ranger will talk and possibly show props such as fossils or photographs.
The fossil quarry program is located about halfway up a 1.5 mile / 2.4 km loop trail. The trail is steep, gaining 350 ft / 106 m, and narrow. This dirt trail is not accessible to strollers or wheelchairs. At the quarry there is a bench, but no shade. The ranger will talk, demonstrate how the fossils are found and how the data is recorded, and answer questions.
The ranger talk is done just outside the visitor center. There is a stone wall that people can sit on but no shade. The ranger will talk and possibly show props such as fossils or photographs.