Directions

Thousand Springs Visitor Center, home to Hagerman Fossil Beds and Thousand Springs state parks.

The NEW Thousand Springs Visitor Center is located at:
17970 US Hwy 30 in Hagerman, Idaho.

• The new Thousand Springs Visitor Center is located on US Highway 30, about one mile north of downtown Hagerman and the location of the old visitor center.
• Caution: highway signage and GPS navigation may not be up-to-date since our recent move.
• If using a navigation app, input the visitor center's exact address, as a general search for the monument may show the wrong location. The visitor center is not located on the actual monument grounds.
• There is no access to the visitor center via any remote, unpaved roads, and the visitor center is not located near the monument's scenic overlooks.
• The monument's trails and scenic overlooks are located approximately 9 miles from the visitor center, on Bell Rapids Road. There is no public access to the fossil beds.

Driving Directions to the Visitor Center

Hagerman Fossil Beds is located approximately 1.5 hours (97 mi) from Boise, Idaho, and forty minutes (38 mi) from Twin Falls, Idaho. The visitor center is located on US Hwy 30, about one mile north of downtown Hagerman. The monument's trails and scenic overlooks are located several miles to the southwest of town, on Bell Rapids Road.

Traveling on I-84 East (from Boise, Mountain Home)

• Take the second Bliss exit (#141) and make a right onto Hwy 26 from the exit.
• In a quarter-mile, turn left onto Highway 30. Follow the signs for Hagerman and Buhl. If you pass the gas stations and truck stop, you've gone too far.
• Travel south about 7 miles on scenic Highway 30.
• The visitor center will be on the left. Look for a driveway with a sign that reads, "Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument."

Traveling on I-84 West (from Twin Falls)

• Take Exit #155 for Wendell and Hagerman. Turn left at the exit, toward Hagerman, onto the Hagerman Highway.
• Travel about 10 miles on the Hagerman Hwy (E 2950 S.) Use caution, watching for agricultural vehicles and crossing wildlife.
• The Hagerman Highway ends at its intersection with Hwy 30. Turn right on Hwy 30.
• Travel about 3 miles north on Hwy 30, through downtown Hagerman. Be aware of changing speed limits and cross traffic, especially through downtown.
• About one mile north of downtown Hagerman, look for a driveway on the right, marked with a sign for "Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds State Park".

Traveling US Highway 30 (from Twin Falls, Filer, Buhl)

This route is a slightly longer, but more scenic, alternative to driving I-84 from Twin Falls. The drive typically takes about one hour.

• Leave Twin Falls on US Hwy 30, driving west toward Filer.
• Stay on Hwy 30 for about 36 miles.
• Pay close attention to signage in Buhl, where the highway changes directions as it passes through town. Slow down and use caution while traveling through the busy downtown Buhl area.
• As you approach Hagerman, highway signs will note a left turn onto Bell Rapids Road, where the monument's trails and scenic overlooks are located. Continue straight on Hwy 30, toward Hagerman, to reach the visitor center. The visitor center is not located on park grounds.
• About one mile north of downtown Hagerman, look for a driveway on the right, marked with a sign for "Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds State Park".

Traveling Hwy 93 (from Jackpot, Nevada)

This route takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

• Travel north on US Hwy 93 from Jackpot.
• Travel about 42 miles toward Twin Falls, Idaho.
• Follow signs to merge onto US Hwy 30, heading west.
• Continue on Hwy 30 for about 16 miles.
• Pay close attention to signage in Buhl, where the highway changes directions as it passes through town. Slow down and use caution while traveling through the busy downtown Buhl area.
• As you approach Hagerman, highway signs will note a left turn onto Bell Rapids Road, where the monument's trails and scenic overlooks are located. Continue straight on Hwy 30, toward Hagerman, to reach the visitor center. The visitor center is not located on park grounds.
• About one mile north of downtown Hagerman, look for a driveway on the right, marked with a sign for "Thousand Springs State Park, Hagerman Fossil Beds State Park".

 

Directions from the Visitor Center to the Monument's Scenic Overlooks and Trails

There are two stops along the park road (Bell Rapids Road): the Snake River Overlook and the Oregon Trail Overlook. Enjoy scenic views of the fossil beds across the Snake River, see historic Oregon Trail wagon ruts, walk the Emigrant Trail, and check out wayside exhibits at both locations. Vault toilets and covered picnic shelters are available at both overlooks. There is no public access to the fossil beds.

• From the Thousand Springs Visitor Center, turn left (south) onto US Hwy 30.
• Drive south for about six miles, through the town of Hagerman, past farmland, and across the Snake River.
• Just after you cross the bridge over the river, turn right onto Bell Rapids Road (look for signs pointing to Hagerman Fossil Beds.)
• Continue about 2.5 miles on Bell Rapids Road to the Snake River Overlook.
• Continue another 2.5 miles up the road to the Oregon Trail Overlook.
• There are no other public access areas in the monument past the Oregon Trail Overlook.

 

 

Air Travel to South Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho

The Magic Valley Regional Airport is located approximately five miles south of Twin Falls. It is approximately 40 miles from the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center. There is no public transportation from the airport to the visitor center. There are currently three flights daily to/from Salt Lake City.

Boise, Idaho

Boise Airport is served by six airlines that offer direct flights to twenty major U.S. markets with connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide. The airport is located approximately 96 miles from the park visitor center. There is no public transportation between the park and the airport.

 

Public Transportation

No public transportation is available in or to Hagerman.