Just off Highway 99 in Madera County, a Columbian Mammoth waits to greet you at the Fossil Discovery Center. Over 15,000 fossils dating back in time to 700,000 years ago are on display – some even available for touching!
Why is there a Fossil Discovery Center right off the highway?
It’s a great story. In 1993, a “gold mine” of fossils was found accidentally during an expansion project of the Fairmead landfill. Work stopped, garbage was moved, and mammoth bones were recovered.
Except for the La Brea Tar Pits, it is the most extensive fossil excavation in California’s history.
What activities are available at the center?
Visitors at the Fossil Discovery Center can watch an introductory video and tour the museum of fossils. The display includes bones showing teeth marks from dire wolves, skulls of short-faced bears, and even a replica of a 14-foot Western camel. The largest attraction is the complete Columbian Mammoth skeleton (larger cousin of the more well-known Woolly Mammoth) a San Joaquin Valley resident from 11,500 years ago.
A paleontological laboratory lets visitors see some of the techniques of excavation and preservation of fossils.
Outside, view a recreation of a Yokuts Indian house and the Mammoth Orange roadside stand restoration project. There is also a “Pleistocene Pond” that gives a glimpse of the region before arrival of people.
Kids love the “Mock Dig” activity. They can excavate 22 replicas of fossils, including skulls of saber-tooth cats, dire wolves, camels, and giant sloths.
Fun Fact: California was home to eight species of camel, which went extinct about 11,000 years ago.
Visiting the Fossil Discovery Center
The Fossil Discovery Center is less than a mile off Highway 99 between Madera and Chowchilla. The center is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-4PM.
Ticket are available for purchase at the entrance, $12 for adults, $8 for kids, and children 3 and under are free.
Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours at the center.
The Central Valley is full of flavor!
Check out u-picks, farmstands, restaurants and more in the abundant Central Valley.
Plan a stop at Forestiere Underground Gardens when you’re in the valley too – it’s pretty incredible!
Find more Only in California original locations like this one!
Article by K.C. Cornwell. Photos by James Collier