Any good fossil sites to visit in Colorado?
by admin on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 | 4 Comments
My daughter and I are planning a trip to Colorado, and I’m curious to know if there are good fossil sites to get to around Denver area or Granby area. We’re happy to drive a few hours to get someplace, if it’s necessary. Neither of us have any major experience, so any “newbie” hunter locations would be the best.
What would be nice is a well-known site in the rockies, and any one with good knowledge of the area with pointers is much appreciated. I’ve googled and found some locations, but first hand knowledge is welcome.
Also, any advice on “minimal” equipment to take with us for rock/fossil hunting is useful. Please help! 
Thanks!!!
Probably one of the best places for a newbie would be Florissant, CO. True it’s not free, but you’ll find something in the box of rocks they scoop fresh out of the cliff for ya!
Climb Mount Antero. Since I do not have a high-clearance vehicle, I did the entire climb on foot, 14 miles from the roadway parking lot. Most visitors drive most of the way up. If you do not find any interesting rocks or gems, then you will at least be able to say that you climbed a Fourteener. I climbed thirty Fourteeners last summer and enjoyed great experiences, although I did not collect any fossils. Other options include: Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado; Maroon Bells, the most colorful mountains in Colorado; Dinosaur Monument area in northwest Colorado; Grays and Torreys immediately west of Denver.
Near Denver, go to Dinosaur Ridge. Good Visitors Center and lots to see. Wear sun screen and comfortable walking shoes.
Near Granby, head over to Dinosaur National Monument. Very impressive Visitors Centers with lots to see and good hiking.
They don’t let you take fossils Think about it. If everyone stole the fossils, no one else would ever get to see them. You are allowed to take pretty rocks. Bring a canvas carry-all to schlep them around.
There are no “14ers” that are good for fossils. None.
They are not easy hikes…. Mt. Antero is one of the LEAST scenic… and if you are not used to altitude they can be dangerous.
In fact… someone casually “day hiking” died on one of them yesterday (Mt. Princeton).
I don’t typically write to discount someone else’s idea… but unless you are both in very good shape or live at altitude… a “14er” should not be on your casual vacation “to-do list”… if you want the view you can drive up a couple of them.
Dinosaur National Monument is cool.
Whoever suggested Florrisant, CO knows what they are talking about. The Florrisant fossil beds are famous… and probably your best bet in CO.
There is a CURRENT mammoth/mastodon excavation up at Snowmass (but I am not sure they allow visitors).
Dinosaur Ridge outside Denver might be cool for a younger kid (it’s where the 1st Stegosaurus was discovered back in the 1800′s I believe). There are footprints and such… I don’t think you are free to hunt fossils though.