Aside from palm trees, one of the most iconic of shrubs in California are the spectacular and larger-than-life redwood trees, which can be seen by visiting the stunning Redwood Forest. What you may not realize, however, is that the Centennial State is actually home to its own colorful Redwood Forest and you are going to want to see it while you still can:

Hiding out in Teller County is the extraordinary Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, which consists of 34-million-year old insect and leaf fossils, as well as a former petrified forest.
Flickr/Ken Lund
Managed by the National Park Service, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument spans nearly 6,000 acres and is open year round, with plenty to see and do no matter the month.
Flickr/loonyhiker
Are you ready to take a short tour of this historic area? Great! Let's start at the Pioneer House (which gives visitors a glimpse of how Colorado's original settlers lived)...
Wikimedia Commons
...walk along one of the Monument's designated hiking trails...
Flickr/Jasperdo

Related Stories

This Speakeasy Hidden In A Game Store In Colorado Is Perfect For A Date Night

This Speakeasy Hidden In A Game Store In Colorado Is Perfect For A Date Night

 With Gorgeous Waterfalls Just Steps Away, This Campground In Colorado Is Absolutely Unreal

With Gorgeous Waterfalls Just Steps Away, This Campground In Colorado Is Absolutely Unreal

 A Peaceful Escape Can Be Found Along The Jean Lunning Trail In Colorado

A Peaceful Escape Can Be Found Along The Jean Lunning Trail In Colorado
...check out one of the area's unique fossils...
Wikimedia Commons
...and enjoy a rare look at the aforementioned Redwood Forest, which is estimated to be a whopping 34-million-years old!
Flickr/Mark Goebel
Does the forest look a little — err, less majestic — than you pictured? The reason these trees are merely stumps is because of volcanic eruptions in Colorado millions of years ago!
Wikimedia Commons
Volcanoes in Colorado? It's true!
To learn even more about the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument — including things to do, more history, and other general information — please visit the National Park Service's website.
Wikimedia Commons

For even more larger-than-life history, click on History Left A Definite Mark At This One Fascinating Spot In Colorado.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles