A complete late Cretaceous-age plant community was buried in place by volcanic ash.  Through erosion and continued research, Big Cedar Ridge slowly unveils its treasure of fossilized plants.

For nearly three miles, the exposed fossils show the relationship between ancient plants and their landscape.  You can help scientists by reporting your fossil finds to the BLM.  Plant fossils (animals without a backbone) can be collected in small amounts with hand tools.

You can get there from Worland by driving 15 miles east on U.S. Highway 16 to the Blue Bank Road.  Continue driving on the Blue Bank Road 15 miles to Big Cedar Ridge.

The area mesmerizes its visitors with a kaleidoscope of pastel orange hills, tan cap-rock mushrooms and red, white and purple candy-striped cliffs. 

Situated to the west of the BLM-developed recreation site at Castle Gardens, the area exemplifies the biblical notion of wilderness as an area for contemplation and spiritual renewal even to the non-devout.  Sagebrush and grasslands are interspersed with an array of unusual pinnacles, spires and buttes while greasewood and rabbitbrush grow along the winding canyons.