Jurassic Vegas: Ice Age Fossils State Park

Jurassic Vegas Ice Age Fossils State Park

About 20 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip lies a state park that holds the unknown fossilized history Sin City holds underground. Located at 8660 N Decatur Blvd., Ice Age Fossils State Park teaches visitors not only about fossils that lie within the ground in the surrounding area but also monumental excavating achievements.

First Steps Back in Time: The Visitor Center

Immediately in the visitor center, after paying the $3 dollar entry fee, you are greeted with an exhibit that gives us the best possible representation of what a Saber Tooth tiger would look like to scale.

First Steps Back in Time The Visitor Center
Ice Age Fossils State Park located at 8660 N Decatur Blvd.

Passing the front desk, you are invited to watch an informative video of Tule Springs first and gain insight into the park’s purpose. This video lasts close to 10 minutes and is incredibly informative about the journey ahead.

I would recommend, when leaving this mini-theater, heading over to “The Digs” exhibit and finding out more about the 2-mile trenches that lie throughout Tule Springs.

At “The Digs” exhibit, you are welcomed with pictures of what the 1960s dig looked like. As well as what the future holds for the state park as well.

The Digs Exhibit at Ice Age Fossils Park
The Digs exhibit at Ice Age Fossils Park.

The Visitor Center houses many other exhibits from impressive fossils, including all types of bones from prehistoric animals such as the Saber Tooth, Mammoths, and Scott’s Horse. All of these prehistoric animals used to roam Tule Springs thousands of years ago.

Saber Tooth Tiger at Ice Age Fossils Park
A full scale representation of what a saber tooth tiger would look like.

One of the most impressive fossils is a Mammoth Tusk that was recently found when digging started again in the early 2010s. These diggings were done since bones stashed away in a San Bernardino research center were finally uncovered in the 1960s. Like Red Rock Canyon, Ice Age Fossils State Park is one of the many natural wonders that Las Vegas has to offer.

Saber Tooth Tiger at Ice Age Fossils Park
Prehistoric mammoth tusk found at a San Bernardino research center. The tusk is now located at Ice Age Fossils Park.

This prompted scientists to want to restart digging at Tule Springs once again. What’s special about this tusk is that it is wrapped in a newspaper that dates back to 1963. The tusk was uncovered by a team from San Bernardino that would continue to find more fossils, even digging as deep as finding aquatic fossils such as Gastropods.

Those Gastropods were believed to have been in Tule Springs in the Pleistocene era, which predates some 11,700 years ago!

The Fossils In The Visitor Center

After seeing an impressive Camel fossil in the center of the visitor center, you get to see an astonishing assortment of what has been found through the dig sites, which also includes underwater fossils.

Collection of Ancient Bison bones
A collection of ancient bison bones.

You can also take a look at the interactive exhibits that let you experience what it’s like to be a ranger yourself! That also includes a closer look at some of the fossils around the Visitor Center. Be sure to take a look at some of the other fossils on display in the Visitor Center.

Ancient Camel from the Pleistocene Era at Ice Age Fossils Park
An ancient camel from the Pleistocene Era at Ice Age Fossils Park.

After an incredibly enlightening and educational walk through the Visitor Center, we are now taken outside to the main trails. This is where you can continue to see history unfold before your eyes. There are 3 trails you can take:

  1. The Megafauna Trail – This involves real-to-scale sculptures of what these animals would have looked like up close. You can even stand next to them and see how you compare to these prehistoric animals! This trail surrounds the Visitor Center area and is only 0.3 miles long.
  2. The Big Dig Trail – This trail will take you through the ’60s dig sites and allow you to see the real-life 20-foot trench that was made back then. This trail is connected to the Trench K Connector and is about 1.2 miles long. The Trench K Connector is the main trail used to travel from the Big Dig Trail and the Wash Trail, where more fossils lie, and ongoing discoveries continue to this day!
  3. The Las Vegas Wash Trail – The Wash Trail will take you through more of the locations and newer dig sites that have been found to have underwater fossils, such as the Gastropods you saw in the Visitor Center.
The Trails at Ice Age Fossils Park
One of many trails where visitors can walk through and see fossils of the past.

Both the Big Dig and Las Vegas Wash trails are hiking trails. Although they do not seem difficult to maneuver, it is nice to have a trail that is found within the Las Vegas area without having to drive far.

Admittedly, I did not have time to check out the bigger trails since I saw the sun going down, but I was able to check out the Megafauna Trail, and I was very impressed with how clean and well-maintained everything was throughout this trail.

The Megafauna trail could be done within 20-30 minutes and involves seating areas for anyone needing some help. It is a perfect opportunity to take in the unexpectedly quiet area fully while still learning about the ancient animals that once roamed Tule Springs.

Las Vegas Wash Trail Map
A map of the Las Vegas Wash Trail.

The other trails will have an entrance before the end of the Megafauna picnic area. First, you will have to walk the Trench K Connector that will take you to the Big Dig Trail and eventually make the round towards the Las Vegas Wash Trail.

The Megafauna Trail picnic area
The Megafauna Trail picnic area where people can sit, relax and eat before their journey.

If you would like to start from the Las Vegas Wash Trail instead, you can simply go towards the incredible “Monumental Mammoth” in the parking lot. Behind this mammoth sculpture, you will find the entrance to the Las Vegas Wash Trail as well!

This sculpture, once upon a time, was featured at Burning Man. It also debuted at Life is Beautiful before making its permanent home at the Ice Age Fossils State Park.

The Fossils Send Us Home

The Ice Age Fossils State Park is a very valuable visit, both educational and productive. With an entrance of only $3, it’s an incredible visit to spend hours of learning, and having fun with all the exhibits and exploration! The Visitor Center adds a lot to the experience and makes it a priority for the preservation of discoveries and fossils in Tule Springs. This makes it a perfect activity for kids or even with your partner!

This state park is also perfect for children and families as right before you head off to the trails from the Visitor Center. You come across a bulletin board that gives information about different events that are available monthly.

In a city that is advancing so rapidly with technological advancements, it is always nice to step back and admire the beauty that once was.

Address:
8660 N Decatur Blvd,
North Las Vegas, NV
89085

Hours:
7 Days a Week: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone:
(702) 533-7819

  • Adrian Mancilla

    Author

    Vegas Local Since 2001

    Adrian Mancilla is a senior studying journalism at UNLV. As a born and raised Vegas native, he has seen everything come and go! Adrian is very acquainted with the city and knows his way around Sin City. As a writer, he’s excited to deliver lots of tips and stories for everyone visiting or living in Las Vegas!

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