Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is a protected area in Nevada that preserves one of the United States’ significant Triassic ichthyosaur fossil localities and the nearby historic mining townsite of Berlin. The park protects large marine reptile skeletons exposed in a quarry and preserved 19th century buildings.

Highlight features are the fossil quarry with exposed ichthyosaur remains and the preserved ghost town buildings that illustrate local mining history. The park offers an interpretive center, short walking trails, and displays explaining the paleontology and mining-era archaeology.

Fossils in the park represent large Triassic marine reptiles unearthed from the local quarry; the Berlin townsite dates to the late 19th century and served miners and their families. The park was established to protect both the paleontological resources and the historic townsite.

The park lies in rural Nevada within the Basin and Range region, adjacent to the Berlin townsite and accessible from nearby small communities and backcountry roads.

• Combined significance: Park combines paleontological and historic values by protecting abundant Triassic marine reptile remains alongside a preserved mining townsite.
• Visitor facilities: On-site visitor facilities include an interpretive center and marked trails that link the fossil locality with the townsite.

What to See #

• Fossil quarry: A late Triassic ichthyosaur fossil quarry where multiple large marine reptile skeletons have been recovered and are interpreted in situ for visitors.
• Berlin ghost town: The adjacent 19th century mining townsite preserved as a ghost town with several original buildings and interpretive signage documenting the local mining history.