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.

Fossil Butte National Monument

Cockerellites liops is one of the more commonly found fishes in and around Fossil Butte National Monument.

Cockerellites liops

The red and purple layers of the Wasatch Formation sit below the ridgeline of Fossil Butte.

Fossil Butte and the Wasatch Formation

Only two fossil frogs have been found in the sediments remaining from Fossil Lake.

Aerugoamnis paulus

The moon over a snow-covered Fossil Butte, the namesake of the park.

Moon over Fossil Butte

Knightia eocaena is the most common fossil fish found in and around Fossil Butte National Monument.

Knightia eocaena

Fossil Butte with blue flax flowers in the foreground

Fossil Butte and Blue Flax

View of Fossil Butte from Cundick Ridge

Echmatemys wyomingensis was a pond turtle that lived in ancient Fossil Lake.

Echmatemys wyomingensis

Viva Naughton Trail

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Pine Creek Camp Area

Knightia eocaena, the most abundant vertebrate fossil in the world, lies exposed near cliff face.

Fossil Butte National Monument

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Nearby Parks

Viva Naughton Trail

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Pine Creek Camp Area