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Visitors view fossils from walkway Photo: NPS Photo

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument · Texas

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago.

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationWaco, TX
  • Entrance No fee listed
  • HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Weather now80°F Patchy rain nearby
  • Alerts No active alerts

Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths.

Topics
  • Fossils and Paleontology
Entrance sign to Waco Mammoth.
Waco Mammoth National Monument became part of the National Park Service on July 10, 2015. — NPS Photo

Things to Do

2 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.

President Obama signs order viewed by members of National Park Service
On July 10, 2015, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation making the Waco Mammoth Site a new unit of the National Park System. — Official White House photo by Amanda Lucidon

Facilities & Services

Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Other Visitor Services

  • Welcome Center

    Welcome Center

    Facility

    Guided tours of the Dig Shelter begin here. Tours are conducted every 30 minutes, no reservation needed. Tours last from 45 minutes to one hour. Tour guides will lead…

    6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive, Waco, TX (254) 750-7946 Directions

    Details
    Guided tours of the Dig Shelter begin here. Tours are conducted every 30 minutes, no reservation needed. Tours last from 45 minutes to one hour. Tour guides will lead you from the Welcome Center, down a 300 yard paved path to the Dig Shelter where mammoth fossils are in situ (still in their original position within the bone bed).

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Waco Mammoth National Monument

Hours details
  • Waco Mammoth National MonumentDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

    Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.  The park is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.  A Dig Shelter access fee does apply. 

    Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance fees

No entrance fees listed.

Weather

80°F
Patchy rain nearby · feels like 86°
  • Today 82° 72°
    Light rain shower
    90% rain
  • Tomorrow 80° 70°
    Overcast
    89% rain
  • Saturday 75° 68°
    Overcast
    85% rain

Updated 3 hr ago

What to expect by season

The monument enjoys a sunny, mild climate during three seasons of the year. Spring: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Rain is common in April and May. Summer: Temperatures range from 70 F to 95 F (21 C/35 C). Temperatures can exceed 100 F (38 C) in July and August. Lightweight clothing and sunscreen are advisable. Be prepared with plenty of water. Fall: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Winter: Temperatures range from 35 F to 65 F (2 C/18 C) . Snow and ice are rare.

Contact the park

Photos

  • Painting of Mammoth nursery herd
    This paleontological site represents the nation’s only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths. — NPS Photo
  • Mammoth Tusks in situ

Getting There

6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive
Waco, TX 76708

From I-35 North, take exit 339 and head west on Lake Shore Drive. Turn right on Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument.

Full directions

From I-35 South, take exit 335C and head northwest on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Continue straight onto Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument. The Monument is easily accessible via personal vehicle, bus, or motor home.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive, Waco, TX 76708

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