Adventure’s Calling: This Trail Is Ideal for Fossil Hunting In Nevada

Are you interested in prehistoric history? Do you like hiking in ancient lands? Do you enjoy looking for fossils when you're hiking, and enjoy even more actually finding them? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you're going to absolutely love hiking in Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument in Nevada — and you're especially going to get excited about the Fossil Beds North Unit Long Loop Trail within it.

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is just northwest of Las Vegas, which makes it a great place to step away from the hustle and bustle of it all for some time in nature! It was established in 2014 to help preserve the many Ice Age fossils found there. It covers 22,650 acres, but it only offers a few established trails for exploration. The limited number of trails within the monument helps keep the area protected.

Still, visitors are encouraged to explore this area and see what they can find. Not only will hikers enjoy spectacular desert views of the mountains on their hikes, but there's a good chance anyone who visits will also get to see some actual fossils.

Of course, because this is a federally protected area, visitors are not allowed to keep anything that they may find. It's very illegal to take fossils home with you from Tule Springs Fossil Beds. However, all are encouraged to seek and find fossils during their time in the park, and any park rangers you encounter will love to hear about what you have discovered!

Long ago, this area was a spring-fed oasis, and animals came from far and wide to drink water from Tule Springs. Eventually, the spring dried up, and the surrounding land was engulfed by the desert, which can still be seen today. As the wetlands expanded and contracted between 100,000 and 12,500 years ago, the bones of animals that died here were preserved and fossilized.

Animals, including the Columbian mammoth, the sabertooth cat, the American lion, the ancient camel and llama, ancient horses, giant ground sloths, dire wolves, and ancient bison, all quenched their thirst at these springs. Fossilized remains of all of these creatures have been found in the park.

The Fossil Beds North Unit Long Loop is an incredible hike that allows you to explore the park while searching for fossils. This trail is a 2.2-mile loop with an elevation gain of only 65 feet along the way. It's marked with NPS stakes, so keep an eye out for them — it's easy to get off the trail if you're not careful. Past hikers recommend following the loop in a counter-clockwise direction for the best experience.

You'll love searching for fossils along this trail, but also be sure to take in the beautiful rock formations along the way as well. This trail offers no shade, so be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water (probably more than you think you'll need), no matter what time of year you take it on. Dogs are welcome, but you must keep them on a leash at all times.

The Fossil Beds North Unit Long Loop is a wonderful trail to get back to nature and discover some prehistoric natural history just outside of Las Vegas. You'll love exploring this trail!