Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is a premier fossil collecting location in Clark County, Nevada. The site exposes Pleistocene fossils where visitors can hunt for megafauna such as mammoths, ground sloths, camels, and horses.
Collecting is strictly prohibited in national monument – viewing only. Visitor trails and interpretive areas explain the fossils and Ice Age environment. Focus is on education, interpretation, and ongoing scientific research. The monument protects crucial evidence of Ice Age ecology in the Mojave Desert region.
Tule Springs became a National Monument in 2014 to protect important Pleistocene mammal fossil sites in the Las Vegas Valley. The area has produced numerous Ice Age mammal fossils including Columbian mammoths, Shasta ground sloths, extinct camels, and ancient horses. Archaeological evidence also shows human presence near the end of the Ice Age.
This complete guide covers everything you need to know about fossil collecting at Tule Springs Fossil Beds, including directions to the site, collecting rules and regulations, the types of fossils you can find, and what to expect during your visit. Las Vegas provides the nearest services and amenities for visiting collectors.
Location and Directions
You can find Tule Springs Fossil Beds in Clark County, Nevada, at the North side of Las Vegas.
Directions to Tule Springs Fossil Beds
To reach Tule Springs Fossil Beds: Find monument access from northwest Las Vegas area; check NPS website for current visitor information and access.
When you arrive, the fossil collecting area is located at various Pleistocene fossil localities within the monument (mostly protected).
What Fossils You’ll Find
Fossils at Tule Springs Fossil Beds date to the Pleistocene. Mammals and petrified woord are the most commonly found fossils at this Las Vegas, Nevada site.
Geologic History
The fossils at Tule Springs Fossil Beds formed during the Pleistocene.
Millions of years ago, the area that is now Las Vegas, Nevada was an ancient wetland and spring complex. The climate during the Pleistocene was significantly cooler and wetter than the modern Mojave Desert, with extensive wetlands and perennial water sources supporting diverse megafauna and vegetation.
As these ancient organisms died, sediments buried and preserved their remains. Over millions of years, geological processes transformed these sediments into the fossil-bearing rocks visible at Tule Springs Fossil Beds today.
How Tule Springs Fossil Beds Became a Fossil Collecting Site
Tule Springs Fossil Beds was established as a protected area to preserve fossil resources while providing public access for education and collecting. Recognition of the site’s paleontological importance led to its designation as a managed collecting location.
Park or preserve status protects Tule Springs Fossil Beds from commercial exploitation while maintaining access for hobbyists and researchers. This management approach ensures fossil resources remain available for future generations while allowing current visitors to experience the thrill of discovery.
Collecting Rules & Regulations
Is Fossil Collecting Allowed?
Fossil collecting is not allowed at Tule Springs Fossil Beds. Visitors may not keep the fossils they find at this public collecting site.
Sources
National Park Service Tule Springs documentation; Nevada paleontological surveys; National Monument establishment documents