Fifty million years ago, during the Eocene Epoch, the area now occupied by Republic, Washington lay beneath the waters of an ancient lake. As the lake bed filled with volcanic ash and sediment, leaves, flowers, fish, and insects were trapped in the layers of resulting mud.

Today the lake is gone, along with the unusual mix of topography and climate that produced plants and animals that haven’t been found together in any other location.

Located in an unassuming road-cut along Knob Hill Road, the Boot Hill Fossil Site* provides paleontologists and amateur fossil hunters alike the unprecedented opportunity of discovering world class examples of Eocene plant life such as leaves belonging to the rose family, birch family, maple family, and redwood family.

As with fishing and gambling, it’s possible you could go home empty handed, but it’s more likely you’ll find a several beautiful, delicate fossil specimens that you’ll be proud to display in your home.

You may rent tools from the Interpretive Center, or bring your own.

The on-site facilities consist of portable toilets and a shaded picnic table. You’ll be spending lots of time in the sun, so remember to bring a sun hat, suntan lotion, and water. If you have a pair of garden knee pads, you may want to bring them along.

*The Boot Hill Fossil Site is owned by the Friends of Stonerose Fossils, a non-profit organization.

Location

The Stonerose Interpretive Center is located on N. Clark Ave. on Republic, Washington’s main thoroughfare. The Boot Hill Fossil Site is a .2 miles walk or drive from the Interpretive Center.

Stonerose Interpretive Center
15 N. Clark Ave.
Republic, WA 99166
(509)775-2295

Website  •  Facebook

Additional Information

• Youtube video by FerryCountySunrise.com
• “Stories in Stone Read From Ancient Leaves” The Smithsonian, June 1999.
• “Cruisin’ Around Washington: Sucia Island and Stonerose Interpretive Center” Burke Museum, Seattle WA.
• “Finding fossils, on your own, or on a monument or museum.” Seattle Times.