RMAG Family Hike Series

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Saturday July 26, 2025

10 am to 3 pm 

Join RMAG for the third hike in our Summer Family Hike Series as we travel to explore the Eocene Florissant Formation just outside Colorado Springs.

Participants will meet at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument visitor center (near Colorado Springs) at 10:00 am. We will start the day exploring Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument with a Ranger led program, and exploring the magnificent forest left behind from the Late Eocene, Thirty-six million years ago the area was covered with towering redwoods and buzzing with dozens of insect species. We all meet for lunch back at the visitor center (bring your own lunch).

After lunch we will drive to the Florissant Fossil Quarry for and hour of of digging at their private quarry. Tools are provided and we will even throw in a flat box (15.5” by 10.5” by 2”) to store your fossil finds in. Everyone should expect to find exquisitely preserved fossil insects and plants! We will be allowed to keep what we find, but if it is exceptional let's consider a donation to DMNS! We plan to be done by 3:00 pm to give folks enough time to drive back to Denver. Additional time at the quarry can be purchased after the trip has concluded or you can check out the spectacular rock formations of the nearby Red Rocks Canyon Open Space Park.

This trip will take place on hiking trails in the morning and in a quarry in the afternoon. Vegetation is sparse and we may encounter rattlesnakes or other critters during this time of year. Please bring protective gear to work in the quarry. Everybody is required to wear hiking boots and we recommend bringing hiking poles, food and water, and sun protection as there will be plenty of sun exposure.

The entrance fee to the National Monument is $10 for adults (age 16 or older) and is not included in the trip costs. All participants are responsible to pay for entry into the park. (If you have the a National Parks Pass the park is included). Lunch will be held at the Florissant visitor center before leaving for the quarry. Please bring your own lunch and plenty of water.

This trip is open to children age 5 and up; the quarry requires children to be at least 5 years old to visit.

Helpful links

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm

Florissant Fossil Quarry: https://florissantfossilquarry.com

Cost  

• $25 for members
• $40 for non-members. (not a member? click here to join)
• $15 for children

Registration Fee is to cover the Fossil Digging

Registration Closes July 23, 2025

Refunds for the July 26, 2025 trip are only available until July 18, 2025

If you are unable to attend, your registration for all RMAG events are transferable. RMAG members may transfer their registration to another RMAG member, and non-members can transfer their registrations to whomever they wish. Should an RMAG member wish to transfer their registration to a non-member, the non-member would need to pay the balance between the member and non-member price.

Waivers

All registrants must fill out the Waiver and Release of Liability and Medical Emergency Form. Those who fail to complete these form will not be permitted to attend the field trip.