Finding fossils is like going on one giant treasure hunt. Luckily for us, there’s a spot in Colorado where you can find our own ancient specimens and even take them home with you. If you have a budding paleontologist in the family or just like playing in the dirt, then you’ll definitely want to plan a visit to Florissant Fossil Quarry.

In our distant past, 35 million years ago, the area of Florissant, Colorado was once a lake surrounded by lush vegetation and populated by birds, fish, and insects.
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Volcanic eruptions created huge clouds of dust that settled on the lake. These natural events caused plants and animals to be trapped under the ash. Each eruption can be identified by a different layer of shale, and over time, the lake was completely filled in.
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The volcanic activity and climate shifts left behind a hotbed of fossilized remains. Luckily for us, you can spend an hour or the entire day at this site amongst the ancient dirt and rocks.
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Sift through the layers of shale and search for your own fossils at this historic site. Florissant Fossil Quarry is an adventure that the whole family will adore.
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No need to bring anything special supplies with you; the tools are all available on site. You'll be given careful instruction to learn how to have the best chances at finding a fossil.
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Discover petrified remains of plants, insects, and fish - and keep what you find! Rates are just $10 per hour to embark on this extraordinary fossil hunt.
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The Florissant Fossil Quarry is located at 18101 Teller County Rd. 1, Florissant, CO 80816. Add this adventure to your sunny day bucket list! Mark sure to check ahead for open hours, as they operate on a seasonal schedule. You can learn more by visiting their website.

Have you ever been hunting for fossils? What did you find? Share your discoveries with us in the comments below!

Explore some other really, really old sites in Colorado by taking these hikes that lead to extraordinary ancient ruins.

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