Its name meaning “flowering”
in French, this once desolate spot is now covered in life. Tons of wildlife
including elk, antelope, deer, and eagles currently call the nationally
protected site home, stretching out nicely amidst the six thousand acre
plot.
The fossils of the park’s namesake have been thoroughly pillaged
and are on display in the onsite visitors center, so personal excavation
isn’t an option. There are plenty of intriguing sites to see after
checking out the main building. Guided and unguided walks are both quite
rewarding. The well-kept paths weave throughout most of the park, totaling
somewhere around ten miles in length.
Rare collections of fossilized insects and plants exist here due to
the fine ash that fell on the site ages ago. They remain preserved and
are well worth checking out.
Upon visiting, you should remember that the wildlife and vegetation
here is relatively young and unadjusted compared to the rest of Colorado
natural sites. Volcano blasts put a stop to life, which has only recently
seen a dramatic upswing.
