Oregon Trail Overlook (Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument) — Attraction in Jerome

If you are going to the Hagerman Fossil Beds visitor center make sure to check the current hours before driving out there. It is the 2nd time I have missed them and this time literally by 4 minutes when they closed at 3pm on a Sunday and I live a long ways away in Arizona. The visitor center is probably the only place you will see fossils. The view from Oregon Trail Overlook was pretty high allowing you to see out over the valley for quite a ways. Respect locals no trespassing on private property. People make it more than apparent with numerous no trespassing signs through town that they don't want tourists searching for fossils on private land, or people traipsing through their property because of Google Maps. Be a polite tourist. I think I would only attempt a visit to this National Monument if I were headed through here anyway. I wanted to love it, but oddly enough have been a little...

I believe there are a few more updates that will be made in the future, but the recently added information panels and hiking trail are really great. The parking area is well maintained and the vault toilet is clean and well managed.

The information presented give a decent overview of the location and events that transpired in the area. I don't imagine this will be a major attraction at any time, but it is a fun stop to gain a little historical information on the region.

The only thing that stood out for improvement is some direction in the parking lot. We initially walked toward the trail we could see, however, it was the long 3 mile trail from the Snake River overlook. We did not see anything that clearly identified the short, informative hiking trail and only stumbled on it because we caught sight of one of the...

Good place to stop for a break. Trails follow the faint wagon wheel tracks which are fading away. This is where the pioneers climbed out of the snake river valley and headed on to Oregon. There was a ferry across the river a few miles to the east and this is the gentlest slope for the wagons to get up to the top of the rise. Shorter trail is somewhat accessible for limited mobility individuals. Restroom is accessible as are the picnic table and sitting area. Dogs are NOT permitted...