Fossil Butte National Monument
Fossil palm fronds and other plants indicate a climate similar to the Gulf Coast states.
In the ridges of southwest Wyoming are some of the best-preserved fossils in the world. They tell the story of ancient life in a warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake. Stingrays swam in the lake. Turtles basked in the sun. Leaves rustled in the breeze while early horses darted between the trunks. We reveal more of the past with each fossil found.
Map showing location of park.
Photo by NPS Photo/Devin Cherry