Are you aware of what Idaho’s state fossil is? If not, don’t worry. You’ll definitely know the answer and much more after you pay a visit to this incredible national park. Hagerman Fossil Beds is home to some of Idaho’s most unique prehistoric treasures and it’s definitely worthy of a visit. Not only does this park contain the largest concentration of Hagerman fossils in North America, but it also contains the world’s richest fossil deposits from 3.5 million years ago. There are many reasons to love this spectacular place, but it’s best if you discover them all for yourself.
Hiding out in the small town of Hagerman is one of the most fascinating attractions that Idaho has to offer. Boasting over 4,000 acres, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is home to some of the world's most unique fossils and you need to see them.
The fossil beds are considered the largest concentration of Hagerman fossils in North America...and it's right here in Idaho! It's no wonder the Hagerman Horse is our state's official fossil. Although the park is most famous for Hagerman fossils, it's actually home to more than 200 different species.
So what exactly makes the Hagerman Horse so unique? The horse is considered the earliest record of the genus Equus which includes all modern day donkeys, horses, and zebras. Basically, it's one of the oldest species of North American horses.
When you visit the fossil beds, be sure to spend some time in the Visitor Center. This is where you'll get to see these prehistoric treasures up close. One of the first things you'll notice is the exact replica of the Hagerman Horse skeleton. Back in 1928, five complete skeletons and more than 100 skulls were found in a 5,000-square-foot area that the park occupies today.
The center also contains both real and replica fossils of other ancient species such as fish, frogs, beavers, and more. Many of these plant and animal fossils are from the Pliocene epoch which occurred 3 to 4 million years ago. They represent the last glimpse of what organisms looked like before the Ice Age.
The visitor center may be small but you'll come across some seriously big fossils. The skull of a Mastodon can even be seen hanging out in the corner. The Mastodon was a species that was distantly related to elephants and went extinct around 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.
After you've examined every nook and cranny of the visitor center, you can take a nice stroll around the park's actual fossil beds. You won't be able to actually view the fossils being excavated but there are several observation decks which provide views of the beds themselves.
There's something fascinating about looking at the fossils of animals that inhabited Idaho way, way, way before us. A visit to Hagerman Fossil Beds is like delving into a side of Idaho you never knew existed!
