Fossil Butte National Monument: An RV Traveler's Guide
A 52-million-year-old lake, frozen in stone in southwest Wyoming
PickRV Editorial
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Fossil Butte National Monument, in the ridges of southwest Wyoming, preserves what the National Park Service calls some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They formed in and around an ancient freshwater lake — Fossil Lake — about 52 million years ago, in a warm, wet environment. The rock here holds fossil fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including stingrays, turtles, and early horses. It's a quiet, deep-time RV destination off the beaten path.
What makes Fossil Butte's fossils special?
The National Park Service calls them some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They formed around Fossil Lake — a freshwater lake about 52 million years ago, in the Eocene — and include fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals from the Green River Formation. Check the NPS site for current visitor details.
- ·Among the best-preserved fossils in the world
- ·Formed around a lake about 52 million years ago
- ·Includes stingrays, turtles, and early horses
State
Wyoming
Managed by
National Park Service
Age
About 52 million years (Eocene)
Rock unit
Green River Formation
The National Park Service describes the fossils preserved in the ridges of southwest Wyoming as some of the best-preserved in the world. They record ancient life from a warm, wet environment surrounding a freshwater lake roughly 52 million years ago — a place the park calls the 52-million-year-old Fossil Lake.
The variety is remarkable. The NPS lists fossil fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and notes that the ancient ecosystem included stingrays, turtles, early horses, and varied vegetation. These specimens come from the Green River Formation, a rock unit known worldwide for the quality of its fossils.
The story here is still being written — the park notes it reveals more of the past with each fossil found. For an RV traveler, it's a peaceful, science-rich stop; confirm current visitor-center hours and access on the National Park Service site before you go.
Official sources
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