We always sat that there’s something for everyone in Washington — and as it turns out, there’s even something for our aspiring paleontologists. The Stonerose Interpretive Center, which you’ll find in the small Eastern Washington town of Republic, has recently opened back up to the public. And although there are some restrictions put in place due to current conditions, you’re welcome to dig for fossils here once again.
While the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Site has been open for years, they’ve recently reopened in a temporary new location.
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook After closing their doors for a while to keep Washingtonians healthy, they reopened in a new location at 15 N. Clark. This is a temporary location and meant to help comply with social distancing guidelines.
Stonerose is the name of a fossil site, a place where you’ll spot impressions of plants and fish that lived millions of years ago embedded in shale.
abearfellow / TripAdvisor And since the organisms in this area lived about 50 million years ago, the name is appropriate.
Back then, this area was part of an ancient lake.
Earl F / Google Over time, layers of sediment built up on the lakebed, most of it volcanic ash from activity that occurred in the area. The layers of shale hardened, then split open like a book to reveal the Stonerose fossils inside.
Obviously, a lot can change in 50 million years… but the local soil still harbors these pieces of the past.
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook That’s why Republic is the perfect place for finding fossils.
When you visit, check in at the Visitors Center and buy an admission sticker.
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook A Stonerose staff member will then give you information on where to go to dig for fossils.
Stonerose fossils are extremely important, as they provide clues to the prehistoric past of the Pacific Northwest.
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook We’re pretty lucky to have an opportunity to get our hands dirty and dig into our history here in Washington.
When you’ve found your fossils, just take them back to the Visitors Center and let the staff sort them for you.
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook You get to keep three fossils of your choice… and if you happen to discover a brand new finding, the paleontologist working will classify it and name it… and you’ll get the credit.
Stonerose is currently open from Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Right now, thanks to a generous grant from Innovia Foundation, they are offering free admission to children from low income families (and no proof is required). Check out their website and plan your dig!
Stonerose Interpretive Center & Fossil Site / Facebook
After closing their doors for a while to keep Washingtonians healthy, they reopened in a new location at 15 N. Clark. This is a temporary location and meant to help comply with social distancing guidelines.
abearfellow / TripAdvisor
And since the organisms in this area lived about 50 million years ago, the name is appropriate.
Earl F / Google
Over time, layers of sediment built up on the lakebed, most of it volcanic ash from activity that occurred in the area. The layers of shale hardened, then split open like a book to reveal the Stonerose fossils inside.
That’s why Republic is the perfect place for finding fossils.
A Stonerose staff member will then give you information on where to go to dig for fossils.
We’re pretty lucky to have an opportunity to get our hands dirty and dig into our history here in Washington.
You get to keep three fossils of your choice… and if you happen to discover a brand new finding, the paleontologist working will classify it and name it… and you’ll get the credit.
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Address: 15 N Kean St, Republic, WA 99166, USA
