Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site
Republic, Washington
eocene plant fossilsfossil leavesfossil insectsfossil fish
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site
Stonerose runs a sanctioned public dig on Boot Hill, an Eocene lake bed in Republic that preserves leaves, insects, and fish in fine shale at exceptional quality. You split rock, then show everything to staff for identification and keep three fossils per day. Anything scientifically significant stays with the collection — which is the trade that keeps a site like this open to the public at all.
The card catalog
| What you can find | eocene plant fossils, fossil leaves, fossil insects, fossil fish |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | posted rates $18 adult (18-61), $12 seniors 62+ and college students with ID, $7 youth 5-17, free for ages 0-4, and $43 for a family of two adults and two youth; the interpretive center and gift shop are free to enter. The fee page still carried a 2025 heading in August 2026, so confirm current rates |
| Season & hours | open for the 2026 season; interpretive center and gift shop run Tuesday-Sunday 8am-5pm, closed Mondays. Exact Boot Hill dig-site dates and hours are not posted on the fee page — call 509-775-2295 to confirm before traveling. Wildfire smoke advisories are posted in late summer |
| Kids | Family-friendly — splitting shale for Eocene leaves is one of the best introductions to fossil work a child can have, and staff identify every find |
| Official source | Stonerose Interpretive Center (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
More drawers in Washington
-
Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area
Mattawa, WA
petrified wood, agatized wood, opalized wood
-
Mount Vernon, WA
quartz geodes, amethyst geodes, chalcedony
Before you go
What does Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site cost?
posted rates $18 adult (18-61), $12 seniors 62+ and college students with ID, $7 youth 5-17, free for ages 0-4, and $43 for a family of two adults and two youth; the interpretive center and gift shop are free to enter. The fee page still carried a 2025 heading in August 2026, so confirm current rates Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site open?
open for the 2026 season; interpretive center and gift shop run Tuesday-Sunday 8am-5pm, closed Mondays. Exact Boot Hill dig-site dates and hours are not posted on the fee page — call 509-775-2295 to confirm before traveling. Wildfire smoke advisories are posted in late summer Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site good for kids?
Yes — Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site works for families. splitting shale for Eocene leaves is one of the best introductions to fossil work a child can have, and staff identify every find