Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

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Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Established in 1965 to preserve and protect Miocene age fossils and the Cook Collection of Native American Artifacts.

Agate Fossil Beds is nearly 3000 acres of mixed grass prairie situated in the middle of Sioux County in NW Nebraska. 20 million year old fossils were found here in the late 1800's and excavations went on from 1904 - 1920's. Handmade gifts from Red Cloud and others make up the Cook Collection.

This , we are celebrating ongoing work to restore the historic Bone Cabin! Midway between the visitor center and Fossil...
06/30/2026

This , we are celebrating ongoing work to restore the historic Bone Cabin! Midway between the visitor center and Fossil Hills on an unpaved trail, the cabin was used as the base camp for numerous research teams conducting digs on the ranch from 1910 to 1923.

Thanks to the Legacy Restoration Fund, a Maintenance Action Team, including skilled craftspeople from the Historic Preservation Training Center, is repairing or replacing the roofing, siding, windows, doors, and foundation of the historic structure. When work is completed, visitors will be able to enjoy a one-mile hike to the site and explore the homestead where fossil quarry scientists resided over 100 years ago.
To learn more about the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund, visit: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/infrastructure/gaoa.htm


Image- A wooden windmill stands in front of the colorful Bone Cabin at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. NPS Photo

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is scheduled to host artist Genevieve Bluebird on July 3-5, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to ...
06/26/2026

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is scheduled to host artist Genevieve Bluebird on July 3-5, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the monument visitor center, located at 301 River Road, Harrison Nebraska, 69346.

Genevieve Bluebird is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. During her program, Ms. Bluebird demonstrates her artistic creative process and will have an array of art for sale onsite. Ms. Bluebird shares her Lakota culture through her art and open discussions with visitors.

“I feel it is a creative duty of mine, to represent Native American women in a positive way,” says Genevieve Bluebird. Of her work, Bluebird elaborates on the depth and meaning of her distinctive style. In a piece titled, A Sacredness, the eagle, white buffalo and beautiful Lakota woman are subjects depicted on a background of blues and pinks to project a somber mood. “It is a study of symbolism and the sacred femininity as the native woman is very much revered and held in high regard in the cultures of many tribes”.

This cultural demonstrator program is supported with funding from Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, the official non-profit partner of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

Image- Genevieve Bluebird sits at a table making a sketch while surrounded by colorful paintings. NPS Photo.

On this day 150 years ago, the Battle of the Greasy Grass (more commonly known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn) took...
06/25/2026

On this day 150 years ago, the Battle of the Greasy Grass (more commonly known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn) took place in south-central Montana. Today we commemorate those who were present that day, including members of the United States Army, Arikara, Crow, Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho. The engagement has continued to be remembered as an important turning point in the American West.

At Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, we have a copy of the commemorative pictograph created on a cowhide is on display in the Cook Collection created by Jack Red Cloud, along with several other Lakota men, who participated in the battle. The work was done in 1916 when Lakota warriors who participated in the fighting visited Agate Springs Ranch to tell their stories and have them depicted in the pictograph.

Join the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument team! We are seeking a Maintenance Mechanic to repair and maintain historic...
06/17/2026

Join the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument team! We are seeking a Maintenance Mechanic to repair and maintain historic buildings, government housing, support structures and other park assets within accepted safety, health, and sanitary conditions. The position requires working knowledge of a variety of maintenance duties, including painting, carpentry, plumbing, equipment operation, landscaping, cutting grass, plowing snow, janitorial duties, etc. This position serves as the lead operator for the water system, which includes sampling, maintenance, and administration of the well systems within the park. For more information about this position and to apply, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/873294500

This position will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30, 2026. If you are interested, don't delay. Apply today!

Image- Two painted tipis are set up in a grassy area with low hills in the background. NPS Photo.

Starting this coming Wednesday, May 20th, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will transition to Summer Operating Hours....
05/15/2026

Starting this coming Wednesday, May 20th, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will transition to Summer Operating Hours. This means the visitor center will be open from 9 am until 5 pm. As always, the monument's two trails, the Daemonelix and Fossil Hills Trails, are open from sunrise until sunset. We look forward to seeing you enjoying your national monument this summer!

Image- Morning sunlight illuminates the Fossil Hills and a profusion of sunflowers blooming in the foreground. NPS/Eric Grunwald

Make a difference as a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service! Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is see...
05/11/2026

Make a difference as a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service! Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is seeking a candidate with a Type I Law Enforcement Commission to serve as the monument's primary law enforcement ranger to enforce applicable federal and state laws and regulations enacted to insure the protection and safe use of National Park Service resources. The candidate selected for this position will serve as the first line, direct supervisor of lesser graded employees in Visitor Resource Protection and Interpretation and Education. For more information about this position, check out the postings on USAJobs:
-General Public: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/865752000
-NPS employees, veterans, military spouses, land and base management: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/865750700

Image- A law enforcement park ranger points towards distant bluffs. NPS Photo

Make a difference as a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service! Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is see...
05/05/2026

Make a difference as a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service! Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is seeking a candidate with a Type I Law Enforcement Commission to serve as the monument's primary law enforcement ranger to enforce applicable federal and state laws and regulations enacted to insure the protection and safe use of National Park Service resources. The candidate selected for this position will serve as the first line, direct supervisor of lesser graded employees in Visitor Resource Protection, and Interpretation and Education, including all 6c law enforcement positions at the park. For more information about this position, check out the postings on USAJobs:
-General Public: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/865752000
-NPS employees, veterans, military spouses, land and base management: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/865750700

Image- A National Park Service law enforcement ranger speaks with a group at Scotts Bluff National Monument. NPS/Christophe Ivins

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will host a program on night sky photography called "Making Art in the Dark" on Satu...
04/22/2026

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument will host a program on night sky photography called "Making Art in the Dark" on Saturday, April 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the monument visitor center, located at 301 River Road, Harrison Nebraska, 69346. As part of this program, Atkinson will share his approach to night sky landscape photography and highlight works in progress created at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument’s during his artist residency. You will also hear about the growing threat of light pollution and how these threats can impact dark sky places. The program is free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.

Image - Paul Atkinson wears a mosquito net over his head at Everglades National Park. Photo courtesy of Paul Atkinson.

Address

301 River Road
Harrison, NE
69346

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13086654113

Website

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