• The Agate Fossil Hills where mammal fossils were excavated in the early 1900's

    Agate Fossil Beds

    National Monument Nebraska

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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.

Natural Features & Ecosystems

Across wetlands to the Fossil Hills

Looking across the wetlands of the Niobrara River to the Fossil Hills.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a small park in the northwest corner of Nebraska, with only 2,700 acres of federally managed land included in the 3050 acres within the park boundary. The park takes its name from thin lenses of agate (White River Silicate Group) in the area, which range in color from amber to light gray. Miocene-age rocks are exposed in the park in the bluffs above the Niobrara River wetlands and contain an excellent fossil record. Much of the geologic history is recorded in the natural features found at the park today.

Did You Know?

Picture of the Agate Springs Ranch taken in 1898.

The name, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, came from the name of James Cook’s Agate Springs Ranch. Travelers to the ranch would say that they were going to Agate. The agate in the area is of a moss agate type, but is not a reason why the park was established. More...