A fossil horse stands in the center of a room filled with posters and display cases
The Thousand Springs Visitor Center is the only place at the monument to see fossils. NPS/S. Lacy

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

National Monument · Idaho · National Park Service

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.

Plan your visit

Trails & hiking

Hiking

Know before you go

Phone
2089334105
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Native American Heritage · Westward Expansion · Climate Change · Fossils and Paleontology · Geology · Scenic Views · Trails

Activities & features: Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Self-Guided Tours - Walking · Front-Country Hiking · Junior Ranger Program · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching · Museum Exhibits · Shopping · Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Photos

  • Steep, rocky bluffs line a river, awash in warm sunset colors
    NPS Photo
  • A sidewalk leads to a boxy, wood-paneled building labelled as "visitor center"
    NPS/S. Lacy
  • A wooden platform with railing, along with two exhibit signs, overlooks the river and fossil beds.
    NPS/S. Lacy
  • An educational exhibit along a trail overlooks panoramic views of the Hagerman Valley.
    NPS/S. Lacy

Nearby parks

Parks of Idaho

McCroskey State ParkCoeur d Alene s Old Mission State ParkFarragut State ParkEagle Island State ParkPonderosa State ParkOregon National Historic TrailLand of the Yankee Fork State ParkPriest Lake State ParkRound Lake State ParkHells Gate State ParkCity Of Rocks National ReserveMassacre Rocks State ParkMinidoka National Historic SiteLake Walcott State ParkBear Lake State ParkNez Perce National Historical ParkLucky Peak State ParkWinchester Lake State ParkHenrys Lake State ParkHeyburn State ParkCastle Rocks State ParkThree Island Crossing State ParkCraters Of The Moon National Monument & PreserveThousand Springs State ParkLake Cascade State ParkHarriman State ParkDworshak State ParkBruneau Dunes State Park

29 parks mapped in Idaho

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Guides for the trip

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Sources: National Park Service · updated 2026-08-12