News Release

Many Fantastic Programs Lined-Up as Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Changes to Summer Hours!

An Agate Fossil Beds Ranger gives a program in front of Carnegie Hill.

NPS Photo/ T. Gray

News Release Date: May 14, 2023

Contact: Tera Lynn Gray, 308-436-9768

Summer hours are back at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument! Starting Monday, May 15^th, Agate will be open from 9am – 5pm daily. There will also be select days where the monument will be open in the evening to enjoy the incredible night skies. These hours allow visitors to spend more time at the park, as well as welcome fantastic programs during the summer.

The summer brings weekly hands-on activities covering a variety of park topics near the visitor center and conversations with roving rangers on top of the Fossil Hills and at the Daemonelix Trail. Individuals from Lakota and Northern Cheyenne tribes will share their artwork in the visitor center during the weekends of June 17-19, July 22- 24, August 19-21, and September 2 – 4.

Agate Fossil Beds will also host the 4^th Saturday Speaker Series pairing our Agate rangers with working geologists and paleontologists. These programs occur on June 24, July 22, August 26, and September 23.

The night skies over Agate Fossil Beds will be available for amazing telescope viewing on May 20 (kids’ astronomy program), June 24 (special overnight-reservations required), July 1 (full moon hike), August 12 (watch the Perseids), and September 9 (astrophotography 101 program).

Birthday parties are a must at Agate Fossil Beds! June 3, participate in a Lakota celebration and help set-up the tipis on our 58^th birthday. August 26, participate in a special program with long-time Agate paleontologist, Dr. Robert Hunt, on NPS’ 107^th birthday.

“The rangers here at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument have been working hard to create a fun-filled and educational experience for all of our visitors this summer,” says Tera Lynn Gray, Lead Interpretive Ranger at Agate Fossil Beds. “We are all looking forward to the later park hours and all the incredible programs that summer brings.”

We strive to make all programs at Agate Fossil Beds accessible to everyone. Please call ahead for an ASL interpreter or other accommodations [phone] or e-mail us.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE or 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on Highway 29 and 3 miles east on River Rd. The Visitor Center winter hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the trails are open from dawn until dusk. Visit us at www.nps.gov/agfo and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.