Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Plan Your Visit NPS.gov

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

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

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

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

About 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.

Things To Do

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Celebrate the Fire Horse

Stop by the Thousand Springs Visitor Center for scheduled Year of the Horse events and lectures.

Birding in the Hagerman Valley

The Hagerman Valley is one of the most popular birding destinations in southern Idaho.

Enjoy a Picnic

Pack up a meal to enjoy with friends or family at a covered picnic shelter along the park road.

Hike the Emigrant Trail

The Emigrant Trail roughly parallels visible remnants of the Oregon Trail, capturing some of the experience of mid-1800s emigrants moving West.

Become a Hagerman Fossil Beds Junior Ranger

Visitors of all ages and abilities can become a Hagerman Fossil Beds Junior Ranger.

See Fossils on Display

See fossils on display and learn about Hagerman's contributions to the science of paleontology.

Available Activities

Auto and ATV

Scenic Driving

Food

Picnicking

Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Hiking

Front-Country Hiking

Junior Ranger Program

Wildlife Watching

Birdwatching

Museum Exhibits

Shopping

Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Weather

Hagerman, Idaho, gets 10 inches of rain per year. On average, there are 213 sunny days per year in Hagerman, Idaho. The July high is around 94 degrees.

The January low is 22. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 78 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.

Getting There

The Thousand Springs Visitor Center is located about one mile north of downtown Hagerman on US Highway 30.

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Hours

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

The road leading to the Monument is a public road and is open 24 hours a day. Access to the Monument Overlooks closes at dusk. The Visitor Center has separate hours. Please be aware that the overlooks and trails are not maintained during winter.