Hiking Around Las Vegas; Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
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Ice Age Fossils State Park Parking and Exterior Ice Age Fossils State Park was established in 2017 and opened to the public in 2024. This small (315 acre) state park is tucked up against the much larger (22,650 acres) Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. Together, they protect the paleontologically rich Upper Las Vegas Wash, but in particular, the State Park protects the major excavation sites. The state park is located off Decatur Blvd. There are not yet any entrance signs, but watch for the Monumental Mammoth, which is visible when approaching the area. When turning into the parking lot, a small sign welcomes visitors. There is parking for 50 or so vehicles, including handicapped and EV charging spaces. The Visitor Center is the large building on the left, and the restrooms are in a detached building to the right. Behind the restrooms, there is a large shade structure with 23 picnic tables. Link to Area Map or State Park Map. |
 North Decatur Blvd approaching park entrance (view N) |
 North Decatur Blvd; Monumental Mammoth comes into view (view N) |
 North Decatur Blvd at Ice Age Fossils State Park entrance (view N) |
 Ice Age Fossils State Park entrance gates (view E from Decatur Blvd) |
 Entering the parking lot (view E) |
Park entrance sign (view E) |
 Parking lot (view E) |
 EV parking and charging station (view SE) |
 Reserved, accessible parking (view E) |
 Cut curbs at the edge of the parking lot (view E) |
 Bus parking (view W) |
 Visitor Center (view E from parking lot) |
 Sidewalk leads to Visitor Center (view E) |
 Visitor Center (view NE) |
 Front wall of the Visitor Center (view NE) |
 Visitor Center building (view NE) |
 Visitor Center, picnic shelter, and restroom building (view E) |
 Visitor Center, picnic shelter, and restroom building (view E) |
 Water station adjacent to restroom building (view SE) |
 Restrooms are gender neutral (view SW) |
 Entrance to Visitor Center (view N) |
 Enter Visitor Center through mock-up of excavation trench (view N) |
 Visitor Center front doors (view NE) |
 Fossils and other items in the excavation trench |
 Fossils and other items in the excavation trench |
 Hiker at end of excavation trench (view N) |
 Picnic shelter (view E) |
 Picnic shelter (view E) |
 Picnic shelter (view E) |
 Picnic shelter (view SW) |
 Picnic shelter (view E) |
 Picnic shelter (view W back towards the Visitor Center) |
Happy hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
; Last updated 250301
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