Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
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Agate Fossil Beds at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Main Agate Fossil Beds highlights — see Things to Do for current listings
- Nearby city
- Harrison, NE
Explore this park
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.
Weather Information
- Summer
90°F – 100°F
- Winter
temperatures can dip as low as -20 with snow and wind.
Plan to hike early and come down from the higher points if storms threaten. Heaviest snows can be expected in late Spring.
Operating Hours
Trails
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.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Agate Fossil Beds. Check the Permits tab on this page and Recreation.gov before you travel — campground, tour, or backcountry permits may apply even without park-wide timed entry.
See Permits tab →
