US Park Info: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located on the Niobrara River in northwestern Nebraska, the Agate Fossil Beds and its surrounding prairie are preserved in a 3,000 acre National Monument. Once part of James H. Cook's Agate Springs Ranch, the nearby soil beds are an important source for million years old fossils. Sioux people e. The monument's Cook Collection of American Indian artifacts reflects years of gifts brought by the Indians during visits to the ranch from the 1880's through the early 1900's.

Basic Information for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Open daily, year-round: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Christmas, New Years
and Thanksgiving Days. Extended Hours available through the summer

Getting to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
PLANE - Nearest air service is available through Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, roughly 1 hour southeast of the monument.

CAR - To the park: access to region by automobile via Interstates 80, 90 and
25, and various state highways and county roads. Visitors traveling east-west
on U.S. Highway 26, turn North on State Highway 29 at Mitchell, Nebraska.
The park is 34 miles from Mitchell. Visitors traveling on U.S. Highway 20,
turn South on State Highway 29 at Harrison, Nebraska. The park is 22 miles
from Harrison. Follow the National Park Service signs.

Weather & Climate
This is Nebraska, so the weather is usually windy and warm during the Summer. Thunderstorms are fairly common in the afternoons. The Winters are windy and cold. Make sure to wear clothes appropriate for the season. Layering is usually the best option. Wearing a hat and using sunscreen is important in the summer. Wear comfortable alking shoes on hiking trails.

Accessibility
Most of the sites at the monument are wheelchair accessible.

Camping at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
No camping available inside monument.

Activities
A visit the visitor center to see the fossil and history exhibits. Hike the trails to observe the prairie flowers and wildlife.