Fossil Collecting in Colorado
Fun for the Whole Family!
Hunt for 34 Million Year Old Fossils
Keep What You Find
We Guarantee You Will Find Fossils
Enjoy a Hands-on Paleontology Experience
The 2025 Fossil Hunting Season is OPEN!
Fossil hunting season 2025 is here! Come see us at the Fossil Quarry!
Open Mon-Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., closed Sundays. We admit the last group of the day at 4 p.m.
Visit us until Labor Day weekend!
Before You Go…
Experience Fossil Hunting Wherever You Are!
Eocene Adventure Bags
Our Eocene Adventure Bags come complete with 3 pounds of fossil shale and instructions.
$20 plus shipping.
Eocene Experience Kit
Our Eocene Experience Kit features:
- Paleo brush
- Splitting tool
- Magnifying glass
- 4 pounds splitting materials
- Book of illustrations and instructions
- Complete in wooden keepsake box
All for $40.00 plus shipping.
The Fossil Mobile
The Fossil Mobile is up and ready to come to your school or special event. Our customized school bus is a self-contained fossil lab which can serve as a mobile classroom. ‘Shale’ we see you soon?
Fossil Collecting in Colorado for the Entire Family
Experience the fun and excitement of finding your own fossils from 34 million years ago. Every visitor gets a hands-on and unique fossil hunting experience. We are a private fossil quarry located less than one hour west of Colorado Springs, CO. The best part is that you get to keep what you find!
No reservation required. Pay when you arrive - $20 per collector/hour (cash only at this time).
We are weather-dependent: If the forecast calls for rain, we recommend calling or emailing us to confirm hours.
We will provide you with tools, personal instruction, and access to freshly excavated shale from the Florissant Formation, which was created during the late Eocene Epoch.
Each fossil collection group receives 1 hour of excavation time, plus 10 mins set-up and clean-up times.
Reminder: We do not accept reservations unless it is for a group of 10 or more people.
Hours
We are closed for the season. After October, we are only open by appointment. To schedule an appointment and ask about our fossil kits, please Contact us for more information!
Directions
Searching for places to hunt and collect fossils near me? Our fossil quarry is located in Florissant, CO, one hour west of Colorado Springs and at an altitude of 8,500 feet. Click to open a map to our location.
Plan Your Visit
Our DIY fossil hunting attraction is located in the heart of the Pikes Peak tourist attractions. Click for information on the area, things to do, eating, lodging, and what to wear.
Proud Members of the Gold Belt Tour
The Gold Belt Tour is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway and a National Scenic Byway. Drive the Gold Belt Tour and retrace the historic travel routes connecting Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District, site of the world’s largest gold rush, to the communities of Florence, Cañon City and Florissant. The Gold Belt Tour Association is dedicated to preserving the historic heritage along the byway.
Best Place to Hunt Fossils in Colorado
So much fun! Hunt for real fossils and you get to keep the fossils you find!
The Florissant Fossil Quarry is a hands-on fossil hunting experience perfect for kids and fossil hunters of all ages. Visit us for an hour and experience the wonder of discovering ancient treasures hidden in the layers of shale.
Everyone is welcome including individuals, families, small groups, bus tours, school classes, etc. We are easy to get to and offer plenty of free parking. No reservations are required, unless you are a group of 10 or more.
Specimens found at our quarry are on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, CO, and the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant, CO.
Step Back in Time
Florissant Fossils date back from the late Eocene epoch, 34 million years ago. Each volcanic eruption formed a cloud of dust and ash that settled on the lake. As this process took place small animals, fish, insects, and plants would be trapped under the weight of the ash and sent to a watery grave at the bottom of the lake. Each layer of shale represents one eruption. Eventually, the lake was filled, climatic changes took place, and this is what we see today.
Top-Rated Attraction in the Pikes Peak Area
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Nearby Attractions
There are lots of fun family attractions and activities in the Pikes Peak area, all within a 30 minute drive of the Florissant Fossil Quarry.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Cripple Creek
Pikes Peak
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
ATTENTION VISITORS
There are 16 miles of road construction between Woodland Park and Lake George. Please plan your trip to Florissant Fossil Quary accordingly.