Fossils of Lake Gosiute

Time Travel to the Eocene Era

Lake Gosiute was home to a diverse population of strange creatures that flourished in the lush vegetation of its tropical shores. Fast-forward 58 million years to its location in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, and it’s an archaeologist’s paradise with fossil-rich soil and stones that tell tales of ecosystems past.

The lake once stretched from Pinedale to the north to Manila, Utah in the south, and it spanned as far as Rawlins to the east and Lyman to the west. If you have a keen eye for fossils, you’re sure to find a few in the area. But the best way to create a prehistoric adventure is by visiting the Natural History Museum at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. Or — to enjoy interpretive exhibits and tours out in the field — make sure to stop by the visitor center at Fossil Butte National Monument on Highway 30, just east of Kemmerer.

Visitor Info

From I-80, take exit 103 (College Drive) in Rock Springs and continue for about a mile. The Natural History Museum at Western Wyoming Community College is on your right.