Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Nebraska
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
🚗 Directions
From US 20: 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved) From US 26: 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved). From State Hwy 71: 25 miles west on the unpaved portion of River Road.
Images
From the Fossil Hills Trail the Visitor Center is a ship in a sea of prairie grasses.
Credit: NPS Photo
One of the first impressions that visitors have are the tipis and the Fossil Hills.
Credit: NPS Photo
Summer storms include thunderheads and lightning and can be exciting and dangerous.
Credit: NPS Photo
Visitors stare in wonder at the huge head of the "apex" predator of the plains some 20 million years ago.
Credit: NPS Photo
Visitors agree that this shirt decorated with quillwork and worn by Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota is a priceless piece of history.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Sunday, Mar 29
Sunny
High: 75°F | Low: 46.9°F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 18.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.6
Sunrise: 06:43 AM
Sunset: 07:19 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (83%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 45.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Mar 30
Sunny
High: 75.9°F | Low: 37.7°F
Humidity: 33%
Wind: 29.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.3
Sunrise: 06:41 AM
Sunset: 07:20 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (90%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 47.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Mar 31
Partly Cloudy
High: 43.9°F | Low: 28.2°F
Humidity: 43%
Wind: 27.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.7
Sunrise: 06:39 AM
Sunset: 07:21 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 25.4°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Red Flag Warning issued March 28 at 9:36AM MDT until March 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Effective: Mar 28, 2026 11:36am
Expires: Mar 29, 2026 8:00am
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY FOR MOST OF
SOUTHEAST WYOMING...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY FOR THE
WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE...
* AFFECTED AREA...The western Nebraska panhandle, including fire
weather zones, 434, 435, 436, 437.
* WIND...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph
mainly between 10AM and 8PM each day.
* HUMIDITY...Minimums of 8 to 15 percent during the afternoon,
maximums of 35 to 50 percent in the early morning.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Widely scattered virga showers each
evening may produce isolated dry lightning along with gusty
and erratic winds.
Red Flag Warning issued March 28 at 9:36AM MDT until March 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Effective: Mar 28, 2026 11:36am
Expires: Mar 29, 2026 8:00am
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY FOR MOST OF
SOUTHEAST WYOMING...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY FOR THE
WESTERN NEBRASKA PANHANDLE...
* AFFECTED AREA...All of southeast Wyoming except the higher
mountains where snow cover remains, including fire weather
zones 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 425, 427, 428, 429,
430, 431, 432, and 433.
* WIND...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 45 mph
mainly between 10AM and 8PM each day.
* HUMIDITY...Minimums of 8 to 15 percent during the afternoon,
maximums of 35 to 50 percent in the early morning.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Widely scattered virga showers each
evening may produce isolated dry lightning along with gusty
and erratic winds.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Park Alerts
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
301 River Road
Harrison, NE 69346
🏤 Mailing Address:
301 River Road
Harrison, NE 69346
📞 Voice Phone: 3086654113
📞 Fax Phone: 3086654114
✉️ Email: agfo_ranger_activities@nps.gov