Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest
and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to
14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal
the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.

Hornbek Homestead, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Youth of all ages participate in the Junior Rangers program at the Monument.

Junior Rangers

Visitors explore the Hornbek Homestead, built in 1878.

Hornbek Homestead Visitors

View from the top of the self-guided Geologic Trail

Self Guided Trails

Captured 34 million years ago, this ancient wasp and other insects are on display at Florissant Fossil Beds NM.

Ancient Wasp Fossil

Located in the Montane life zone, the Monument's wildlife ranges from ground squirrels to elk.

Bull Elk

Walk the Petrified Trail Loop to see fossil redwood stumps

Big Stump

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

## Overview

Turtle Rock Campground, located at an elevation of 8290 feet, is 3.5 miles
north of Buena Vista, Colorado. Campers appreciate the area for its recreation
opportunities within Fourmile Recreation Area and the Arkansas Headwater
Recreation Area.

Turtle Rock Campground is open from March 1st until November 30th. Situated
within a pinion juniper woodland setting, 24 small campsites sit at the base
of Turtle Rock Granite Formation. Large RVs and travel trailers over 35 feet
are not recommended.

## Recreation

Turtle Rock Campground offers easy access to the namesake rock formation,
which is beloved by rock climbers. Various route difficulties can be found on
Turtle Rock as well as other smaller granite formations in the area. Hiking,
mountain biking and OHV riding are recreation activities accessed from the
campground.

## Facilities

The campsites at Turtle Rock Campground are small, RVs and Trailers longer
than 35 feet aren't recommended. This 24-site campground including 1 Group
Site, and 1 double vault toilet. Individual sites are limited to 2 vehicles
and 8 people. Group site is limited to 4 vehicles and 20 people. Each campsite
includes a parking space, a metal fire ring and a picnic table. Most sites are
designed for tent or van camping. Large camp trailers and RVs under 35 feet
can access the campground are accommodated with some pull-through sites.

Campsites 1, 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, and 24 are First Come, First Serve, pay for the
site at the pay station immediately after occupying the site. There is no
guarantee that these sites will be available when you arrive.

Campsites 5-21 are Reservable 3 Months in advance, if there isn't a current
reservation on the day of, sites are available on a First Come, First Serve
basis payable at the Pay Station for one night only. Campsites 7-12 are Tent
Only, campsites 14 and 20 are Pull-Throughs, Sites 4, 5, 14, 19, 20 and 21 are
large enough for RV’s and Trailers up to 35’.

Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at
Turtle Rock Campground so please bring your own water and plan to take your
trash with you when you leave. Bring your own firewood.

## Natural Features

The Collegiate Peaks Mountains form dramatic vistas of the Upper Arkansas
River Valley, enhancing the view from the campground. Turtle Rock is a
prominent granite feature attracting rock climbers and hikers seeking a view
of the Arkansas River below. The campground is nestled within a pinon pine and
juniper woodland which covers the rolling hills of the Fourmile Recreation
Area.

## Nearby Attractions

The Fourmile Recreation Area is known for its robust trail system supporting
hiking, trail running, biking and OHV riding. The Upper Arkansas River Valley
is home to Central Colorado's iconic recreation including whitewater rafting
and play park, 14ers, biking, hiking, fishing, festivals, concerts and so much
more.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Turtle Rock Campground, located at an elevation of 8290 feet, is 3.5 miles north of Buena Vista, Colorado. Campers appreciate the area for its recreation opportunities within Fourmile Recreation Area and the Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area.</p>
<p>Turtle Rock Campground is open from March 1st until November 30th. Situated within a pinion juniper woodland setting, 24 small campsites sit at the base of Turtle Rock Granite Formation. Large RVs and travel trailers over 35 feet are not recommended.</p>

<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Turtle Rock Campground offers easy access to the namesake rock formation, which is beloved by rock climbers. Various route difficulties can be found on Turtle Rock as well as other smaller granite formations in the area. Hiking, mountain biking and OHV riding are recreation activities accessed from the campground. </p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The campsites at Turtle Rock Campground are small, RVs and Trailers longer than 35 feet aren't recommended. This 24-site campground including 1 Group Site, and 1 double vault toilet. Individual sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Group site is limited to 4 vehicles and 20 people. Each campsite includes a parking space, a metal fire ring and a picnic table. Most sites are designed for tent or van camping. Large camp trailers and RVs under 35 feet can access the campground are accommodated with some pull-through sites.</p>
<p>Campsites 1, 2, 3, 4, 22, 23, and 24 are First Come, First Serve, pay for the site at the pay station immediately after occupying the site. There is no guarantee that these sites will be available when you arrive.</p>
<p>Campsites 5-21 are Reservable 3 Months in advance, if there isn't a current reservation on the day of, sites are available on a First Come, First Serve basis payable at the Pay Station for one night only. Campsites 7-12 are Tent Only, campsites 14 and 20 are Pull-Throughs, Sites 4, 5, 14, 19, 20 and 21 are large enough for RV’s and Trailers up to 35’.</p>
<p> Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at Turtle Rock Campground so please bring your own water and plan to take your trash with you when you leave. Bring your own firewood. </p>

<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The Collegiate Peaks Mountains form dramatic vistas of the Upper Arkansas River Valley, enhancing the view from the campground. Turtle Rock is a prominent granite feature attracting rock climbers and hikers seeking a view of the Arkansas River below.  The campground is nestled within a pinon pine and juniper woodland which covers the rolling hills of the Fourmile Recreation Area.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The Fourmile Recreation Area is known for its robust trail system supporting hiking, trail running, biking and OHV riding. The Upper Arkansas River Valley is home to Central Colorado's iconic recreation including whitewater rafting and play park, 14ers, biking, hiking, fishing, festivals, concerts and so much more.</p>

Turtle Rock Campground gets it's name from the Turtle Rock Granite Formation that towers over the campground and can be seen from most campsites

Turtle Rock Granite Formation

The entrance of Turtle Rock Campground with the Rock Formation as the backdrop

Entrance of Turtle Rock Campground

Turtle Rock Campground Sign welcomes visitors

Turtle Rock Campground Portal Sign

Turtle Rock Campground

Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires.
Stoves and fire pits that use propane and have a shutoff switch are okay to
use.

<p>Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Stoves and fire pits that use propane and have a shutoff switch are okay to use.   </p>

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Royal Gorge