Idaho Adventure: Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

HAGERMAN, Idaho (KBOI) — This week's Idaho Adventure takes us exploring the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.

That's where scientists and researchers are un-earthing fossils, millions of years old.

Millions of years’ worth of earth history, all buried in 600 feet of lake sediment, lies waiting to be discovered at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.

"We're one of the richest Pliocene deposits in North America and that's the reason we've been set aside as a research facility," said Jay Hauser, Park Ranger.

Layers of sediment are the result of Ancient Lake Idaho, which covered this area until roughly 2 million years ago.

The first fossils were discovered back in the 1920's...

"From 1920's until then anyone could come into our beds and collect fossils and a lot of material was taken," said Hauser.

The fossil beds were finally made into a monument in 1988, when President Reagan signed them into existence.

Since then, thousands of fossils have been removed solely for preservation and research.

"We have over 2,000 fossil localities that we have removed fossils from, over 70,000 fossils have been taken from the beds over here, which sounds like an amazing number, which it really is," said Hauser.

Fossils dating back 3 and 4 million years ago have been unearthed at this historic site, with some displayed at the visitor’s center.

"This is a fabulous place with all of the excavations of fossil materials, I'm glad there's people bright enough to start putting the pieces together," said Roger Martel, Boise.

The Hagerman Horse is one of the most famous discoveries, but many other species have also been found.

"The dominant fossils that we have are mammals, and we have just over 200 different species of plants and animals," said Hauser.

Most of the fossils contained in the park aren't obvious, but there are trails to explore on and breathtaking scenic overlooks.

While on the trails you may not see some of the work being done, however, “New discoveries are being made, and it's always exciting when that happens because that just helps us put together the amazing picture and piece together the puzzles," said Hauser.

The fossil beds are operating under their winter schedule right now, but will open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Memorial Day through Labor Day.

For more information, check out their website here.

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