Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
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.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
About Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
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.
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Driving times from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Trails
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Birdwatching, Bookstore and Park Store, Cultural Demonstrations, Food.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Scotts Bluff National Monument (1 h 17 min), Fort Laramie National Historic Site (1 h 52 min), Wind Cave National Park (2 h 34 min), Jewel Cave National Monument (3 h 4 min), Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (3 h 9 min), Mount Rushmore National Memorial (3 h 13 min).