Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is a protected area in Idaho preserving fossil deposits from the Pliocene period. The site contains remains of extinct horses, camels, and saber-toothed cats that roamed the region millions of years ago.

The area gained National Natural Landmark status in 1975 and became a National Monument in 1988 to protect fossil deposits from the Blancan age. These fossils date to a time when the region's climate was shifting significantly.

Scientists from many places study the fossils here to understand how animals evolved in North America over millions of years. The research conducted at this site has helped piece together the story of life across the continent.

The Thousand Springs Visitor Center roughly 1 mile north of Hagerman on US Highway 30 displays fossils and offers ranger-led programs. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and can be challenging to walk on.

The site holds the largest collection of Equus simplicidens fossils anywhere, an extinct horse species that lived roughly three to four million years ago. This concentration allows researchers to study in detail how these early horses developed and changed over time.