Although slightly off the beaten path, the Oak Springs Trilobite Area is an excellent place to jump out of the car and well worth your time when traveling in the southeast corner of the Silver State. Situated just outside Caliente on US 93, this fascinating area is laden with fossil remains of six types of trilobites in the shale deposits near Oak Springs Summit.
Trilobites ( /ˈtraɪləˌbaɪt, ˈtrɪ-, -loʊ-/; meaning “three lobes”) are a group of extinct marine arachnomorph arthropods that form the class Trilobita. Trilobites form one of the earliest-known groups of arthropods.
Oak Springs Trilobite Area has an established parking lot, trail register, interpretive sign and picnic table to be enjoyed by guests. No public restrooms are available onsite.
Latitude / Longitude37.613694, -114.711366
At this time, there is no Fee to use/visit the area.
Directions Travel west of Caliente on US Highway 93, Nevada approximately 12 miles. Upon reaching mile-marker 81, turn north toward a parking lot where the trailhead and informational bulletins are accessible. The road leading from US Highway 93 has a large sign indicating the direction of the trilobite site.
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Courtesy S. Ward – Paranghat Wildlife Refuge