30-60 MinutesFee applies
Hiking the Petrified Forest Loop
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Take a self-guided, one mile hike and see some of the biggest petrified tree stumps in the world.
The one-mile, self-guided Petrified Forest Loop Trail is the main trail to hike on to see fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds. The fossils you will see on this trail are petrified redwood tree stumps. These are some of the biggest petrified tree stumps in the world (by diameter). The trail is gravel and is mostly level. It can be accessed behind the visitor center. There are interpretive exhibit panels along the way.
Tags
Front-Country HikingFossils and Paleontologyfossilspaleonotlogyfamily activitiesself-guided hike
Visitor Photos
No visitor photos yet
Details
Duration
30-60 Minutes
Duration Details
The trail can be hiked fast in about 30 minutes, but if you take your time and look at exhibits, it might take up to 60 minutes.
Fees
The fee to enter Florissant Fossil Beds (which covers all trails) is $10.00 per adult (16 years or older). Anyone 15 or younger is free. Interagency passes are accepted and get the passholder and three other adults into the park.
Fees Apply
Yes
Seasons
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility
Service animals are allowed on this trail on a leash. The trail is one mile in length and relatively flat. It has a few sections that go up in elevation about 20 - 30 feet at about 30% grade and a few downhill sections going down 20 - 30 feet at about 30% grade. There are some water bars on the trail. The trail has a gravel base. The trail is about 4 - 6 feet wide.
Pets
No — Pets are not allowed on this, and/or any of the trails at Florissant Fossil Beds. They are allowed in the parking lot and in the picnic area near the parking lot on a leash.
Reservations
No
Age Info
This trail can host most strollers and is an easy hike with a baby in a back pack. The trail is relatively flat but not graded to be universally accessible.
Location
Petrified Forest Loop Trail