Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

During the Pliocene, this place looked quite different. Lush wetlands, forests, and grasslands provided excellent habitat for a variety of animals. From fascinating, now-extinct creatures like the saber-toothed cat, mastodon, and ground sloth, to more familiar animals like horses, beavers, and birds, the scientific study of Pliocene fossils is the key to Hagerman.

Fossil Exhibits at the Thousand Springs Visitor Center

The Thousand Springs Visitor Center is the only place at the monument to see fossils.

A fossil horse stands in the center of a room filled with posters and display cases

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Southern Idaho

The Glenns Ferry Formation contains one of the world's richest Pliocene fossil deposits.

Steep, rocky bluffs line a river, awash in warm sunset colors

Thousand Springs Visitor Center

The Thousand Springs Visitor Center, opening in 2022, marks a new partnership between the National Park Service and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

A sidewalk leads to a boxy, wood-paneled building labelled as "visitor center"

Snake River Overlook in Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Enjoy scenic vistas and learn about Hagerman's Pliocene past at the Snake River Overlook.

A wooden platform with railing, along with two exhibit signs, overlooks the river and fossil beds.

Oregon Trail Overlook at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Enjoy scenic vistas and learn about Hagerman's human and paleontological history at the Oregon Trail Overlook.

An educational exhibit along a trail overlooks panoramic views of the Hagerman Valley.