Pop culture in the 1980s and ‘90s was a little fanatic about paleontology, from the Land Before Time to Jurassic Park and everything in between. Filmmakers might not have realized it, but they raised an entire generation of wannabe field anthropologists—or, at the very least, dinosaur-obsessed individuals, myself included.
So when the opportunity to visit the Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site (the only public dig site in Washington state) presented itself, my inner child immediately leapt at the suggestion.
The center and site are located in Republic, a former gold rush town that dates back to the late 1800s. The mine only closed in 2017 and a couple of years ago, news of a potential reopening resurfaced. But beyond just gold, early 20th-century miners also began finding imprints of fish and leaves in the rock and sediment.
Today, Republic makes for a unique stop along Highway 20 for road-trippers traveling across the state or to/from Eastern British Columbia (it’s just over a five-hour drive from Seattle). It’s the type of place where nothing is more than a few minutes away. The coffee shop, grocery store and drugstore are all within a couple of blocks of the center.
Thus Stonerose appears unassuming, but step inside and you’ll be welcomed by knowledgeable staff such as the managing director, Travis Wellman. As he recounted, decades of research have determined that Stonerose fossils are from the Eocene epoch, about 50 million years ago. For context, the Mesozoic Era, the age of the dinosaurs, took place between 252 and 66 million years ago—so don’t expect to find any T. Rex arms or velociraptor remains at Stonerose. Instead, the remains are from an ancient lake covered in sediment from volcanic activity. Today, those ash layers appear as chunks of shale that can be split or cracked open to reveal organisms such as fish, ferns, twigs and more.
When Wellman asked our group if we wanted to dig, we all let out an enthusiastic “Yeah!” The eagerness didn’t wane even as we made the couple block walk to the dig site under the midday summer sun.
The site is quite modest. You wouldn’t know it by just a glance because, to the untrained eye, it’s easily mistaken for large piles of gravel on the roadside. Additionally, the reality of hammering a large metal pin into shale chunks is a bit (a lot) less glamorous than Hollywood makes paleontology seem. But the excitement of a single line in the rock turning into ancient flora or fauna makes the effort worthwhile. After more tilling than I’d anticipated, a chunk broke open to reveal a small leaf, presumably a part of a fern-like plant.
I was able to keep my finding, but that isn’t always the case. Stonerose is primarily a research and educational center. Thus, they reserve the right to keep any discoveries deemed “scientifically significant.” However, don’t despair! The blow of being unable to take the fruits of your labor is softened by the fact that the Center typically names new discoveries after the finder.
Decades of research have proven Stonerose to be much more diverse and unique than other sites. What makes the site even more special is the wide use of “citizen science,” where road-trippers search for findings alongside paleontologists. Historically, Bureau of Land Management and other government-run sites are open to the public for viewing only. Private sites such as Stonerose can allow public digs at their discretion and are the best bet for fossil enthusiasts looking for a hands-on experience. The Bureau of Land Management provides resources for how to look for fossils without harming the land or potential specimens, as you are allowed to dig in some areas, just consult their guidance before proceeding and double-check what you’re allowed to keep. This list is a great resource of sites by state, as well as an overview of fossil collecting laws by state (which can vary greatly).
We didn’t leave with a new groundbreaking discovery, but instead walked away with a better appreciation for what we see in natural history museums.
Please note that the site is only open to the public between May and October. If you plan to bring a large group, the center asks you to please contact them at least 10 days in advance, otherwise walk-up diggers are welcome. The educational center and gift shop are typically open throughout the year; please check the website for the most up-to-date information. It costs $18 for adults (18 and up) and $7 for youth.
Time Out’s trip planning tips:
Head across the street to the Republic Brewing Company to refresh and hydrate after a day of digging (my favorite beer there is the Drifter Pale Ale). For a unique overnight stay, check out the K Diamond K Ranch, which resembles an animal rescue more than any typical guest ranch.
Full disclosure: This trip was organized and paid for by the Washington State Tourism Board, but all opinions are my own.