Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

For fossil lovers and couples with an interest in Native American lore, this 2,270-acre park is the place to go. The home of the Lakota people, this land offers history of another culture as well as a glimpse into prehistoric times-- fossils over 20 million years old have been discovered at this site in northwestern Nebraska.

Are We There Yet?

The park is located on Highway 29 about 35 miles north of Mitchell, Nebraska.

What’s There To Do Here?

The visitors center, with three rooms of exhibits, the Hitchcock Theater and an extensive display of Native American artifacts, offers an education of both the landscape and its inhabitants.

Step back in time with an interactive computer tour and life-sized fossil dioramas, while at the James H. Cook Collection, with over two hundred artifacts which help to paint a portrait of the Lakota way of life, you can imagine the smoke rising from the pipe used by Chief Red Cloud before the signing of the Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1868, and see a war club brandished by American Horse, a leader of the Oglala people.

When Are We Going?

Summer is the busiest time in the park, although crowds are rarely a problem.

How Long Are We Staying?

You’ll just need an hour or two for a look around.

What Should I Bring?

Good walking shoes are recommended for the hike, and cool clothes for summer.

Where's Our Room?

There are no accommodations or camping in the park but you’ll find rooms in Harrison, Nebraska about 20 miles away.

Where Are We Going Next?

Piercing the prairie sky like a beacon is Chimney Rock, an American landmark which made such an impression upon the over half a million individuals brave enough to journey westward that many attempted to capture its beauty in both written word, through numerous journal and diary entries, as well as through drawings. A video presentation of America's westward expansion and exhibits offering a taste of pioneer life can be seen at The Ethel and J. Abbott Visitors Center.

Chimney Rock National Historical Site is located only seventy-two miles away from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

A journey of only 125 miles will take the two of you back to the Ice Age with a visit to The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. A thirty-minute guided tour and ten-minute video provide an introduction into the time when mammoths ruled the land, and you have the opportunity to view their fossilized remains, as well as those of other prehistoric animals, such as camels and llamas. For further information visit www.mammothsite.com

Practical Information

Operating Season: year round
Hours: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Website: www.nps.gov/agfo/index.htm