Things To Do Near Fossil Butte National Monument
Start your trip to Fossil Butte National Monument in the Visitor Center, where a museum shows off some of the fossils that were taken from the butte. Afterward, head outside to drive the scenic road, hike through the high-desert landscape, or enjoy a picnic with a view. About 15 miles east, the town of Kemmerer offers everything you need in terms of supplies, shopping, and dining.
Hiking Trails
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Historic Quarry Trail
If you're interested in geology, hike the Historic Quarry Trail. From the trailhead, it climbs through the limestone, mudstone, and ash of the Green River Formations. As you walk along the side of the butte, you'll see a historic cabin. Take the spur trail up to the historic quarry where archaeologists and paleontologists first unearthed fossils. On the way back, you'll pass through the Wasatch Formation.
Location
Historic Quarry parking area
Length
2.5 miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Nature Trail
Enjoy the views from the Nature Trail, which travels in a 1.5-mile loop from the picnic area. Follow the trail as it takes you through hills covered in sagebrush, through the trees, and into a beautiful stand of aspens. Keep an eye out for the beaver pond. Along the way, you'll find plenty of benches that provide a place to rest and take in the scenery. In the winter, the trail is a popular spot for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Location
Fossil Butte picnic area
Length
1.5 miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Cundick Ridge Road
See Fossil Butte from another angle on the Cundick Ridge Road. This unmaintained two-track road is no longer open to vehicles; instead, you can hike one mile out to the Cundick Ridge Overlook, which sits high above the desert floor. The views are spectacular, particularly at sunset. Keep in mind that the access road is rough and not suitable for RVs; you can park at the picnic area and walk up the road to the trail.
Location
South Cundick Ridge and Eagle Nest Point Road parking area
Length
2 miles round-trip
Intensity
Moderate
Sightseeing
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Journey Through Time Exhibit
From the Visitor Center, head outside to check out the Journey Through Time exhibit. It creates a timeline of the Earth, including major events that shaped the geology and ecology of Wyoming. The grand scale is a striking physical representation of history; it puts human existence into perspective and illustrates the passage of time before and after Fossil Lake.
Location
Visitor Center, 864 Chicken Creek Road, Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Chicken Creek Road Scenic Drive
Enjoy the stunning Wyoming landscape from the comfort of your vehicle on the Chicken Creek Road Scenic Drive. Drive along the western side of the park, taking in the views and stopping at the scenic overlooks along the way. The road is often closed in the winter months; ask at the Visitor Center to find out about current conditions.
Location
Visitor Center, 864 Chicken Creek Road, Kemmerer, WY 8310
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Research Quarry
If you're coming to Fossil Butte National Monument in the summer, plan to join a program at the Research Quarry. Rangers explain how paleontologists work, both now and in the past. Depending on the day, you might even get to meet one of the researchers who is excavating and preserving the fossils at the site.
Location
Visitor Center, 864 Chicken Creek Road, Kemmerer, WY 83101
Museums
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Fossil Butte National Monument Visitor Center Museum
Start your trip to Fossil Butte National Monument in the Visitor Center's museum. Packed with hundreds of impeccably preserved fossils, it introduces you to Wyoming's past. Walls of fossils from fish, turtles, crocodiles, mammals, reptiles, plants, and birds offer a glimpse at the many species that thrived in the lake. Don't miss the Catastrophe Display, which uses fossils to illustrate how lake conditions changed drastically and quickly. The museum also features two dioramas that show the tropical conditions around Fossil Lake millions of years ago.
Location
Visitor Center, 864 Chicken Creek Road, Kemmerer, WY 83101
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J.C. Penney House & Museum
The J.C. Penney House & Museum is set in the former home of James Cash Penney, who founded the J.C. Penney department store in the early 1900s. Inside, you can explore the different rooms, learn about the retail empire, and discover how people lived at the turn of the century.
Location
J.C. Penney Drive and Lignite St., Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Fossil Country Frontier Museum
Step back in time at the Fossil Country Frontier Museum, a quirky spot built inside a historic gym. A series of artifacts and photos explain Kemmerer's past. Check out vintage clothing, learn about farming and ranching in Wyoming, and explore the unique Fossil Country Mine coal-mining room.
Location
400 Pine Ave., Kemmerer, WY 83101
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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In Stone Fossils
Pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir at In Stone Fossils. This beautiful store carries a selection of small and large fossils preserved in rocks and transformed into home decor.
Location
413 Coral St., Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Wyoming Fossils
Take home a piece of the Green River Formation at Wyoming Fossils. The owners dig for many of the shop's pieces themselves; you can also choose from fossil lamps, geodes, and other geological treasures.
Location
921 Pine Ave., Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Scroungy Moose Pizza
Pick up a pizza to go at Scroungy Moose Pizza, which is tucked into the ground floor of a beautiful building. Build your own pizza from the list of ingredients, or try one of the house-specialty pies.
Location
179 WY-233, Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Bootleggers
You'll feel like you've stepped into the past at Bootleggers, a historic spot with a Western-themed interior. The menu includes classic meat-and-potatoes dishes, but you'll also find a small selection of burgers and a salad bar.
Location
817 S. Main St., Kemmerer, WY 83101
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Place on Pine
Place on Pine is a classic American diner that offers everything from big egg breakfasts to burgers and hot sandwiches. At dinner, try the fish tacos or the carne asada.
Location
919 Pine Ave., Kemmerer, WY 83101