Ice Age Fossils State Park offers a rare window into Nevada’s prehistoric past, where Pleistocene-era fossils reveal a landscape once roamed by mammoths, ground sloths, and ancient camels. Spanning 323 acres in Clark County, this park transforms the arid Mojave into an open-air natural history museum unlike anything else in the state park system.

The park’s fossil beds are its centerpiece — guided interpretive hikes lead visitors along trails where actual fossil sites are marked and explained, connecting the dots between the dry desert terrain of today and the lush grasslands that existed here more than 10,000 years ago. Rangers and volunteers bring the science to life, making this an outstanding destination for families and anyone curious about deep time.

Beyond the paleontology, the park’s Upper Las Vegas Wash setting provides solid desert hiking with views of the surrounding Mojave landscape. Birders will find the wash habitat productive, especially during spring and fall migration. The interpretive trails are well-maintained and accessible, though visitors should bring plenty of water — shade is scarce.

The best time to visit is October through April, when temperatures are manageable for outdoor exploration. Summer heat regularly exceeds 110°F, making midday hiking inadvisable. Morning visits year-round are your best bet.

Explore Nearby

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