The visitor center sits in the middle of mixed grass prairie.

National Monument

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

visit on nps.gov

Info

In the early 1900s, paleontologists unearthed the Age of Mammals when they found full skeletons of extinct Miocene mammals in the hills of Nebraska -- species previously only known through fragments. At the same time, an age of friendship began between rancher James Cook and Chief Red Cloud of the Lakota. These two unprecedented events are preserved and protected here... at Agate Fossil Beds.

Park Photos

The visitor center sits in the middle of mixed grass prairie.
1 of 5

From the Fossil Hills Trail the Visitor Center is a ship in a sea of prairie grasses.

Credit: NPS Photo

The visitor center sits in the middle of mixed grass prairie.
Tipis and Fossil Hills represent the two subjects that Agate Fossil Beds interprets.
Thunderheads are common in July.
The Dinohyus was a scavenger, nicknamed "Terrible Pig"
This buckskin shirt decorated with quills was worn by Red Cloud.

Activities

Arts and Culture
Cultural Demonstrations
Guided Tours
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Junior Ranger Program
Museum Exhibits
Bookstore and Park Store
Astronomy
Stargazing
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Park Film
Picnicking
Hiking
Food
Shopping

Operating Hours

The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day. Visitor Center features Miocene Mammal fossils, a 12 minute movie, and the James H. Cook Collection, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts that were gifts to James Cook and his family.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Weather info

Summers can be very warm, high 90's to 100 with the frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to hike early and come down from the higher points if storms threaten. Winter temperatures can dip as low as -20 with snow and wind. Heaviest snows can be expected in late Spring.