An Ichthyosaur mural is seen by the Fossil House at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in Nevada.

The entrance to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park.

Two pronghorns are seen on the road outside of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park on May 5, 2024.

Many fossils at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park have been unearthed and preserved for everyone to enjoy.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park includes the ghost town of Berlin. Several buildings have been preserved and are still standing. Many of the townspeople’s homes are long gone. There are many interpretive signs along the way sharing the history that was there.

This view came from the highest point along the Nature Trail at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. The elevation ranges from 6,840 feet to a high point of 7,880 feet. The park is located within the Toiyobe National Forest.

Park Supervisor Jeff Morris shares information and history of the ichthyosaurs and the processes used to unearth the fossils in front of the large mural outside of the Fossil House.

Fossils are labeled in the Fossil House. Here, from specimen 3, the base of the tail (I) is marked, as well as bones for the femurs (J) on both sides of it. Among the pile, there are 37 specimens that were found. Jeff Morris said along the tour that the ichthyosaur were a social creature, and they traveled schools, and that is why there are so many together. He also mentioned, that while the reason is unclear, scientists hypothesized that the ichthyosaur possibly died from food poisoning, which probably came from what we know as a red tide.

A model replica of an ichthyosaur hangs in the Fossil House.

Park Supervisor Jeff Morris points out sections of fossils and explains more in-depth during the tour.

Here’s a view of the Fossil House from the outside to show how large the building is.

Old buildings have been preserved by the State of Nevada.

The 30-stamp mill.

An old, motorized buggy with a wooden cabin sits among the ghost town remains.

Remains from the Union Mine are seen along the Nature Trail.

Remnants of the past are scattered along the trail and left behind by others. You can sort of still read on the can “GOLD CREST – HIGHLY REFINED MOTOR OIL.”

A campsite with a tent is seen. There is a picnic table and shade/weather structure at every campsite. The trees are large and the sites are spaced out enough to give you some privacy.

Here’s a picture along the Nature Trail that sort of shows the vegetation and conditions of the trail.

The Diana Mine is just a short walk from the entrance to Berlin. There’s some old mining equipment to check out and one building. There used to be tours available of the mine.

An old mine cart sits on the tracks leading into the Diana Mine.

Dr. Charles Camp’s cabin that he stayed in while working at the dig site.

Looking down the tunnel of the Diana Mine.