Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Another remarkable place that preserves a much older chapter of Earth’s story is Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. Located in southern Idaho, along the Snake River Canyon near the small town of Hagerman, this landscape holds fossil deposits dating back 3 to 4 million years.
This region was once very different. Instead of the dry terrain seen today, the Snake River valley supported lakes and wetlands. These conditions attracted a variety of animals including mastodons, camels, saber-toothed cats, sloths and many species of birds and fish.
The most famous discovery at Hagerman is the Hagerman horse. This animal is considered one of the earliest members of the modern horse family. The site contains the largest concertation of fossil horses ever discovered in North America.
Recognizing the scientific importance of these discoveries, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument was established in 1988 with President Ronald Reagan signing the legislation.
The National Park Services preserves many layers of history. Some places tell the story of people, industry and communities, while others, reached deeper into the past.
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