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Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is an icon of a bygone era when mastodons and one-toed horses roamed the rugged hills and rolling valleys of Idaho. Some of the early discoveries made in the 1930s by the Smithsonian Institution created worldwide attention for the small town of Hagerman that made the Equus simplicidens, or the Hagerman Horse, one of the most famous fossils ever unearthed. A vast majority of the fossils are dated at over 3 million years, with new species, such as the river otter, being frequently discovered as excavations of the fierce terrain continue. 

Things to Do

Things To Do Near Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument invites visitors to travel back to the prehistoric Pliocene era to discover the mysteries of over 200 species of fossilized animals. Some of the famously featured fossils include mastodons, saber-toothed tigers, bears, ground sloths, one-toed horses, and even camels, some of which are located in the Visitor Center in Hagerman. At the monument itself, hikers can imagine what pioneer life might have been like along the Oregon Trail as they walk the only traversable path on the Emigrant Trail. Near the monument, RV travelers can also sample the local cuisine at a couple of delicious restaurants, do a bit of shopping and visit some unique museums and sightseeing spots that feature the cavernous wonders of ice and limestone caves in the nearby town of Shoshone. Viewing open fossil beds in the fields is unavailable due to their remote locations; however, many of the findings from the fossil beds are on display at the Visitor Center in town. 

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Sightseeing

Museums

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

map-marker-alt-regular How to Get There

How To Get To Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Hagerman Fossils National Monument Visitor Center is located off of Route 30 and can be reached from Boise by way of Interstate 84 and from the south at Twin Falls via Route 93. This destination is situated right along Route 30 across the street from Hagerman Junior / Senior High School on North State Street. 

The Visitor Center is not on the grounds of the national monument, and signs for the actual fossil beds are marked 4 miles before entering Hagerman.

Address

221 N. State St. Hagerman, ID 83332

Fee: Entry fee $0

Visiting Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument allows explorers to learn about the prehistoric wonders of Idaho and its most famous fossil, the Hagerman Horse. With a stop at the Visitor Center to check out the exhibits followed by a day trip to the national monument itself, guests can enjoy the beauty of the Snake River and the surrounding areas with a better understanding of its unearthed inhabitants for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience. Traveling to this monument in an RV is an excellent way to explore this area.