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If you’re a fan of natural history and gems like the Burgess Shale Fossils, we have just the B.C. hike for you. Situated between Kamloops and Cache Creek is a provincial heritage site containing prehistoric fossils that date back over 50 million years, and it’s a scenic route to get there!
According to the provincial government, the McAbee Fossil Beds were deposited in a lake during the Eocene Epoch, 53 million years ago, a time when the global climate was much warmer than it is today.
Considered the most diverse site in Canada, the ancient fossil beds consist of preserved insect and plant fossils, abundant fish fossils, as well as bird, spider, and crayfish fossils.
“The fossil site is world-class for its spectacular fossil record of Eocene biodiversity and ecosystems,” adds the heritage site website.
In 2007, the Province hired paleontologist Dr. Mark Wilson to assess the significance of the McAbee fossil beds, who found that the site is one of the two or three most significant sites in B.C. According to the report, this is because of its Eocene fossils and “high species diversity, fossil abundance, excellent preservation, and recognizable fossils.”
Now preserved in an official heritage site operated by the St’uxwtews Pesuten Heritage Society and Bonaparte First Nation, the fossils can be viewed by exploring the site’s marked trails, or opt for a guided group tour.
The McAbee Fossil Beds will reopen for the season on May 1, 2025, operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday. Admission to the heritage site is priced at $8 per adult and $5 for children aged five and up.
According to Indigenous B.C., the trail entrance can be identified by a teepee located on Highway 97 between Kamloops and Cache Creek. On the 8 km journey, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding Shield Mountains and Thompson River, making it a great day trip option.
Along the trail, there are informative signs that provide historical context for the original village sites and the rich history of the Bonaparte First Nation.
Where: North of Highway 1/97 east of Cache Creek and west of Kamloops
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