Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Tule Springs Fossil Beds
Just 18 miles beyond the modern city of Las Vegas lies a remarkable landscape that preserves the stories of spring-fed oases, plentiful water, now-extinct wildlife, and the people and ancestors who thrived there for thousands of years. The diversity of life shaped the Las Vegas Valley and provided vital support to the Southern Paiute and other Indigenous peoples that inhabited this land long before the arrival of the Europeans.

Discover Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Tule Springs Fossil Beds photo

Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is a window into the Ice Age, preserving fossils of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and other ancient creatures that once roamed the Las Vegas Valley. Located just outside Las Vegas, this unique site offers visitors the chance to explore a prehistoric landscape filled with rich paleontological history. The dry washes and desert terrain reveal evidence of an ancient ecosystem, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in geology, archaeology, and Ice Age wildlife. Tule Springs provides a rare glimpse into a time when giant mammals ruled the land.

Upcoming events

Aug 23 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Part of the Lost City Museum’s 2025 Lecture Series:For over 100 years, scientific investigation has revealed stories of our past at Tule Springs Fossil Beds. Stories of desert wetlands, extinction, adaptation, and survival have been interpreted from...

Oct 4 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Discover what remains of Ice Age Las Vegas! This free annual outdoor event is for fossil enthusiasts of all ages. Together with our community partners, we celebrate the science behind what we know about the past and present. The Pleistocene (Ply-sto...

Visit Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Our contribution

Over $162 million

Since our founding in 1938, WNP has provided more than $162 million in aid to our partner parks to fund educational programs, initiatives, and scientific research.

See how we help

Over 70 parks to explore

Find your park

Legend

  • Partner Park
  • Gateway City