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
Thursday, Feb 5
Sunny
High: 65.8°F | Low: 40.3°F
Humidity: 33%
Wind: 17.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 07:05 AM
Sunset: 05:14 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 37.3°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Feb 6
Sunny
High: 58.1°F | Low: 32.4°F
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 19.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.6
Sunrise: 07:04 AM
Sunset: 05:16 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (82%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 35.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Feb 7
Sunny
High: 58.6°F | Low: 35.2°F
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 17.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 07:03 AM
Sunset: 05:17 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (73%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 35.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
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