Visiting the Monument
A typical visit to the Florissant fossil bed monument is of about 1.5 to 2 hours. I would really recommend that if you do visit this place then you should start your journey from the visitor center. At the visitor center you will get all the orientation information. You should definitely watch the 14 minute orientation film. The book center and the bathrooms are also located here. Behind the visitor center is an outdoor exhibit area where you can see the petrified redwood tree stumps and associated exhibits.
From the outdoor exhibit area you will have access to two guided travels called the ponderosa loot ravel and petrified loop travel. The monument has 14 miles of hiking travel.
Fee and Reservation
There is a nominal fee of $3 for those who are 16 years or above. This is valid for 7 days. Those who are under sixteen years of age are free to move in the monument.
You can also ask for passport which cost $15 and is good for one year. The federal passes like golden age, golden access, golden eagle are accepted here and you can move around the park with these passes. I do feel that these fees are nominal and every body can pay this easily.
I must say that you should start your journey from the visitor center. You will find the fossils and the books all on display at the visitor center. You will definitely find the visitor center to be great and I do feel that you should not forget to see the orientation film which is of 2 hours. You will definitely get an idea about the park by seeing this movie.
Weather
The weather of the region has a typical mountain climate. Summers are generally of shorter duration and the days are warm and the nights are cold. The temperature starts to moderate in springs but the negative temperature can still occur. Way back in 1992 35 subs zero days were recorded. In February 1989 the record cold was recorded at it remain at zero degree for a record 72 hours.
However I do feel that you will definitely find this region to be great and once you will visit this place I warn you that you will not like to go away from this place. You will definitely like to live for ever. You will find yourself lost in its long history. The timing is also great and you can visit the place anytime before 5:00 p.m. generally both in summer and winter. However there is slight change timing but it will not effect your visit.
You can experience the fun of cross country skiing in the winters. These are allowed in winters but you will have to contact some strangers. I do feel that you will definitely find this park and enjoy the proceeding.