It was 4 miles from Snake River Pottery to the Visitor Center for the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. We arrived at 12:43 p.m. The population of the town of Hagerman is 656.

From the Snake River Pottery shop to the town of Hagerman was only a short distance. We found the Visitor Center for the Monument right along the main street. But the Center was closed (probably for the rangers to get some lunch) so we walked down the street and found ourselves some lunch as well.

After lunch we walked back to the Visitor Center and checked out the fossil displays. Very nice, but a very small location. We found that there is no easy access to the fossil beds, which are across the river from the town. Apparently there is quite a bit of slumping in that area as well. The ranger said that there are some trails over in the fossil bed area, but he seemed to discourage any hiking in that area, telling us that the rattle snakes, scorpions, and ticks were out.

It's a small Visitor Center with only a few displays and a limited number of books and maps and other information. But the Rangers are friendly and helpful.

From there we drove south on Highway 30 from Hagerman, along the Snake River. Just after we crossed the river we turned west and drove back into the Monument to the Snake River Overlook. There is a parking area and pit toilet and a boardwalk out to an observation deck which overlooks a bend in the river. We could see pelicans all over, and watched some land and others take flight and soar far above us. They look impressive in their brilliant white and black feathers. This also provided a good view to the north, looking out across the Hagerman Valley from a different perspective. On the drive to this area we passed several small power plants and dams. Across the road from the parking lot there is a small view point that overlooks a portion of the Oregon Trail that passes through this area.

A bit farther up the road, after driving up the Bell Rapids Grade, there is another overlook. This one focuses upon the Oregon (or Emigrant) Trail. The Overlook is in the midst of the sage and grasslands high above the valley. There is a paved walkway out to an observation area. Tracks of the old trail can still be seen.