National Monument

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

West

About Hagerman Fossil Beds

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.

From the National Park Service.

Region: West
State: Idaho
Designation: National Monument
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Hagerman Fossil Beds.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Mon: Sunrise to Sunset
Tue: Sunrise to Sunset
Wed: Sunrise to Sunset
Thu: Sunrise to Sunset
Fri: Sunrise to Sunset
Sat: Sunrise to Sunset
Sun: Sunrise to Sunset

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.

Weather and when to go

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.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 17970 U.S. Hwy 30, Hagerman, ID 83332
Phone: (208) 933-4105
Email: hafo_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/hafo

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Hagerman Fossil Beds

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Hagerman Fossil Beds

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Celebrate the Fire Horse

First Person Interpretation · about 45 min · Reservation required

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

Birdwatching · about 45 min

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

Picnicking · about 45 min

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

Hiking · about 2 hours

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

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

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

Scenic Driving · about 45 min

Take in stunning views of the Snake River, the fossil beds, and the Hagerman Valley along five miles of park road. Stop at the Snake River and Oregon Trail Overlooks for scenic vi…