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Visitor Center Hours
The visitor center at Agate Fossil Beds will be open the following hours: Memorial Day till Labor Day Open Daily 9 am - 5 pm; Labor Day till Memorial Day Open Daily 8 am - 4 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Fossils and Much, Much More
During the 1890s, scientists rediscovered what the Lakota Sioux already knew - bones preserved in one of the most complete Miocene mammal sites in the world.
Yet, this place called "Agate" is a landscape that reflects many players – from early animals roaming the valleys and hills, to tribal nations calling the High Plains home, to explorers passing through or settling in the American West.
Features
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Mammal Fossils
After the Age of Dinosaurs came the Age of Mammals. Agate Fossil Beds features unique animals from the Miocene age.
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The James H. Cook Collection
A friendship between James Cook and Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota Sioux grew during the late 1800's. From this friendship came the Cook Collection.
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Hiking Trails
Two trails totaling almost five miles are available for the hiking crowd. Walk to the early excavation sites or view an unusual trace fossil.
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Agate Fossil Beds Facebook
Join us on Facebook for current day-to-day happenings.
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The Fossil Freeway
Come travel the "Fossil Freeway" and get acquainted with the deep history of North America's High Plains!
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A Sea of Mixed Grass Prairie
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is composed of almost 3000 acres of mixed grass prairie. Over 300 species of native plants are found here.
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Ranching in Sioux County
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is in the middle of ranch country. Driving to the monument gives one a sense of living with the land.
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Did You Know?
One of the more menacing beasts found in the quarries at Agate Fossil Beds was the Dinohyus. This big-toothed animal was a scavenger credited with tearing apart the rhino skeletons that ended up in the waterhole bonebed. Although not related to the pig family, his nickname was “Terrible Pig.” More...