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.

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.

The Thousand Springs Visitor Center is the only place at the monument to see fossils.

Fossil Exhibits at the Thousand Springs Visitor Center

The Glenns Ferry Formation contains one of the world's richest Pliocene fossil deposits.

Fossil beds along the Snake River

Enjoy scenic vistas and learn about Hagerman's Pliocene past at the Snake River Overlook.

Snake River Overlook in Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Enjoy scenic vistas and learn about Hagerman's human and paleontological history at the Oregon Trail Overlook.

Oregon Trail Overlook at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Jr. Rangers learn about paleontology at a fossil site.

Jr Rangers Learn About Paleontology

A picture of a fossil still incased in the sediment.

A Fossil In Situ

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

A casted fossil is being removed from the Monument and sent to the lab.

Fossil Cast Going to the Lab

Paleontologist prepares a fossil skull for excavation.

Paleontologist Excavating Fossil Skull

Rangers and the Paleo crew excavate an articulated snake.

Excavating an Articulated Snake

The Oregon Trail Scenic Byway follows the main Oregon Trail from the crossing
of the Snake River near Glenns Ferry to Bonneville Point, southeast of Boise.
Part 1 of the byway is a loop drive that takes you to the south side of the
Snake River to view the Three Island Crossing location from the bluffs above
the river, then ends on the north side of the river at Three Island Crossing
State Park interpretive center. Parts 2 and 3 take county roads to follow the
Oregon Trail from Glenns Ferry to Bonneville Point. Oregon Trail ruts are
visible along much of this route. Several locations allow access for hiking
and horseback riding on the Oregon Trail. The main Oregon Trail from Three
Island Crossing to Boise was the primary route utilized by the emigrants for
the first 10 years of the trail. Those emigrants who could not cross the Snake
River were forced to follow the south side of the Snake River on a route known
as the South Alternate. Freight and stage roads to the railroad in northern
Utah utilized much of the Oregon Trail for many years. The Oregon Trail
continued to be used long after the building of the railroads across southern
Idaho, even into the early 1900s. The total distance of the byway is 89 miles.
Allow eight hours to complete the trip from Boise, including time to visit the
Three Island Crossing State Park interpretive center and to explore the Oregon
Trail at the various access points along the way. All of the byway roads are
paved or good gravel roads. High clearance vehicles may be required to access
the trail off the byway. Four-wheel drive is not needed for the byway, but
please stay off the access roads if they are wet or muddy.

<p>The Oregon Trail Scenic Byway follows the main Oregon Trail from the crossing of the Snake River near Glenns Ferry to Bonneville Point, southeast of Boise. Part 1 of the byway is a loop drive that takes you to the south side of the Snake River to view the Three Island Crossing location from the bluffs above the river, then ends on the north side of the river at Three Island Crossing State Park interpretive center. Parts 2 and 3 take county roads to follow the Oregon Trail from Glenns Ferry to Bonneville Point. Oregon Trail ruts are visible along much of this route. Several locations allow access for hiking and horseback riding on the Oregon Trail. The main Oregon Trail from Three Island Crossing to Boise was the primary route utilized by the emigrants for the first 10 years of the trail. Those emigrants who could not cross the Snake River were forced to follow the south side of the Snake River on a route known as the South Alternate. Freight and stage roads to the railroad in northern Utah utilized much of the Oregon Trail for many years. The Oregon Trail continued to be used long after the building of the railroads across southern Idaho, even into the early 1900s. The total distance of the byway is 89 miles. Allow eight hours to complete the trip from Boise, including time to visit the Three Island Crossing State Park interpretive center and to explore the Oregon Trail at the various access points along the way. All of the byway roads are paved or good gravel roads. High clearance vehicles may be required to access the trail off the byway. Four-wheel drive is not needed for the byway, but please stay off the access roads if they are wet or muddy.</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Oregon National Historic Trail

South of Buhl in the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon stands world-famous Balanced
Rock. Over 48 feet tall and 40 tons, the wind-carved rock balances
precariously on a pedestal only 3 feet by 17 inches. Nearby Balanced Rock Park
is a good spot for a picnic.

South of Buhl in the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon stands world-famous Balanced Rock. Over 48 feet tall and 40 tons, the wind-carved rock balances precariously on a pedestal only 3 feet by 17 inches. Nearby Balanced Rock Park is a good spot for a picnic.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

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Nearby Parks

Oregon National Historic Trail

Balanced Rock