Colorado Hidden Gems: Check Out the Florissant Fossil Beds

It's no secret that the state of Colorado is full of natural beauty. However, while some of these places like Garden of the Gods and the Great Sand Dunes are very popular and well-known to out-of-towners, some of these natural marvels are far more in the category of hidden gems than others.

One of these beautiful places that isn't necessarily as popular as most, but is still absolutely stunning, is known as the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Colorado's Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

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The town of Florissant is located just west of Colorado Springs, and so is the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. 

The park was first founded in 1894 after numerous geologists discovered the abundance of petrified wood and fossils in the area. It was later established that volcanic activity thousands of years ago was responsible for the preservation of the fossils as well as the petrified trees.

The park is such a natural wonder that it's still studied to this day and, believe it or not, around 60,000 people visit the park each year. 

At the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument you'll find a visitors center filled with remarkable fossils found in the area, but the coolest stuff is outside.

As you'll see below, there are numerous hiking trails that take you all over the park. These trails are divided into the Petrified Forest Trail which is where you'll find numerous petrified stumps, as well as the Geological Trail which has more rock formations.

Keep scrolling to take a virtual tour of Colorado's Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: