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Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site

Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site, Colorado Vacation Directory
 
 

WELCOME TO INDIAN SPRINGS TRACE FOSSIL NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK SITE

Would you and your family like to discover the Odrovician Period, when most of the North American Continent was coved by water, and see fossils created 450 million years ago? Then, Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site is the right place for you! This U.S. National Natural Landmark is hidden on Indian Springs Ranch (PRIVATE PROPERTY). This is your dream Colorado destination; see below to learn about the tour.

The Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site changed history when it was discovered in the 1960s by owner Bennie Thorson. This find captured the tracks left by animals who walked, swam, and burrowed in a tidal lagoon's mudflat.

Registered Natural Landmark designation sign at Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site near Canon City, Colorado.
Experience Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site a designated National Natural Landmark featuring fossils from a 450 million-year-old sea floor
Tour guide pointing to fossils at Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site near Canon City, Colorado.
Two-hour tours with Fossil Guide Carly start at Indian Springs Ranch in Penrose, Colorado, home of the "Ostracoderm" and "Giant Eurypterid"
 

In south-central Colorado, east of Cañon City in Penrose and along the Goldbelt Tour Scenic Byway, on the grounds of Indians Springs Ranch Campground lies what is considered North America's best site for trace fossils. This Colorado Natural Area features 25 different types of fossils. Among them are horseshoe crabs, brachiopods, trilobites, and jawless armor-plated fish that roamed the inland seas that were once here. You will see, in amazing detail, their every footprint, resting spot, and flick of a fin in the sand.

Close up of fossil from the Odrovician Period much like other fossils found at the Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site near Canon City, Colorado.
See fossils of creatures that lived in the mudflats of an ancient waterway where salt and fresh water met include the Eurypterids, jawless armor-plated fish, and ancient horseshoe crabs
Sketch of Euypterids fossil tracks like those found in Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site, Colorado.
Sketch of a fossilized Euypterid and its tracks - The large limbs of the sea scorpion allow them to capture prey - North America's destination t0 study the Odrovician Period fossils
 

This is not a tourist trap! This is a land of mystery and discoveries. Today, this National Natural Landmark is a hot spot for geology groups from around the country. This Fossil Trace is an outdoor fossil park, explore with a guide, for all that travel with a dinosaur enthusiast.

Mr. Thorson's daughter, Carly Thorson, conducts tours of the fossil site. Carly will take you on a journey to decipher the fossils as she explains how these creatures' well-preserved fossil footprints were captured millions of years ago, allowing you to learn from this moment of time.

MAKE A RESERVATION TODAY: You have to make an appointment to see the fossils at the "Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site." To explore with a fossil guide, call Indian Springs Ranch 719-372-3907 for a 2-hour tour of the 450 million-year-old sea floor from the Middle Ordovician period. For 2024, the rates are $15 per person 12+ and $5 per person under 12.

The National Park Service designated it a National Natural Landmark in 1979 due to the importance of the Ordovician Period trace fossils found here. There are tracks left by animals walking, swimming and burrowing in what had been a tidal lagoon's mudflat.

Ownership: Private
Designation Date: 1979

DIRECTIONS TO INDIAN SPRINGS TRACE FOSSIL SITE

 
Stone stair path leading up to Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site in the Royal Gorge area of Colorado.

PLEASE NOTE: You have to make an appointment to see the Fossils - Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site is private property.

PHONE: 719-372-3907

From Colorado Springs: From the Junction of I-25 and Colorado Highway 115 follow CO 115 south for about 32 miles. Turn right on 3rd Street in Penrose. Continue on Fremont County Road 123. Turn right on Phantom Canyon Road (also known as CR 67); from CR 123/67 intersection turn right and travel 1-1/2 miles further to the road sign "Indian Springs Ranch" turn left to enter our property. The office is 1-1/4 miles from the entrance.

From Cañon City: Follow Royal Gorge Boulevard (also known as US-50) east out of town to the intersection of CR 67/US 50; make a left onto CR 67; drive 3.25 miles to the road sign "Indian Springs Ranch" turn left to enter our property. The office is 1-1/4 miles from the entrance.

Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

Indian Springs Ranch, LLP and Campground Web page link icon Photos on page icon
Unique, family friendly and Geological destination Campground. A NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK FOR FOSSILS - Tours by Appointment! Working Cattle Ranch 10 miles to Cañon City. We LOVE Groups!

More Local Information

Royal Gorge Area, Colorado includes: Cañon City, Coaldale, Cotopaxi, Florence, Guffey, Penrose, Texas Creek

National Historic Sites and Landmarks in Colorado


Argo Mill and Tunnel • Aztec Ruins National Monument • Bandelier National Monument • Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park • Blue Mesa Reservoir/Curecanti National Recreation Area • Browns Canyon National Monument • Canyons of the Ancients National Monument • Chaco Culture National Historical Park • Chimney Rock National Monument • Colorado National Monument • Comanche National Grassland • Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad • Dinosaur National Monument • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area • Garden Park Fossil Area • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Click to return to main Colorado National Park Map

• Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark • Hovenweep National Monument • Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site • Lost Creek Scenic Area • Mesa Verde National Park • Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas Natural National Landmark • Pawnee National Grasslands • Pikes Peak National Landmark • Raton Mesa and Pass National Landmark • Red Rocks Park National Historic Landmark • Rocky Mountain National Park • Roxborough State Park National Natural Landmark • Russell Lakes National Natural Landmark • Slumgullion Earthflow • Spanish Peaks National Natural Landmark • Summit Lake National Natural Landmark • The United States Air Force Academy
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