Wyoming Geological Museum offers free fossil exhibits, virtual resources

The University of Wyoming Geological Museum serves as a longstanding public resource for paleontology, geology and science education. The museum houses more than 60,000 specimens and roughly 50 holotypes, showcasing major displays such as Big Al, an Allosaurus specimen, a 75 foot Apatosaurus exhibit, numerous fossil vertebrates and Wyoming specific paleontology collections. Admission is free and the museum supports research, education and public events.

Regular visiting hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with holiday closures noted on the museum website. The site also provides visitor information, guided tour options for school groups, virtual exhibits, and contact and parking guidance at uwyo.edu/geomuseum/index.html. Those resources make the museum accessible to audiences who cannot travel to Laramie, and they expand classroom options for teachers seeking primary sources and visual materials for geology and earth science lessons.

For Albany County families and educators the museum is primarily a digital and curricular resource. Virtual exhibits allow students to view specimens and contextual material without the travel cost and time that a trip to Wyoming would require. Local schools, libraries and community centers can incorporate the museum content into lesson plans and community programming, although access depends on reliable internet and appropriate devices. Equity gaps in broadband and technology access in rural and low income neighborhoods may limit who benefits from these online offerings.

Public health and community wellbeing also factor into how cultural institutions serve distant communities. Free admission and virtual access reduce financial barriers that can limit participation in enrichment activities that support mental health, lifelong learning and social connectedness. Local education and public health leaders may consider targeted support for digital access and transportation funding for field trips to ensure students across Albany County can take full advantage of these educational resources.

The museum remains a research hub as well as a public exhibit space, and its collections provide long term value for scientists and educators. For more information about exhibits, teacher resources and visit planning, the museum website provides current details and guidance.