Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; published by the park.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 2,253 acres (912 ha).

Designation: National Monument. Listed as "Agate Fossil Beds National Monument" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category III.

Established: 1965.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Hiking trails trail

Before you go

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

This is a national monument, so all animals, plants, and rocks (including fossils) are protected by law and cannot be removed or harmed

Park alert: No Fuel Services

Fuel up before visiting! Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is 30-50 miles from the nearest service stations.

Park alert: Limited Cell Phone Coverage

Cell phone voice and data coverage is very limited in the park and surrounding area. Free visitor WiFi is available in the visitor center.

Park alert: Archives and Collections Unavailable

The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument archive and collections are temporarily unavailable for research or study. If you have a pending research request or have questions, please send an email to scbl_afgo_superintendant@nps.gov and the park will contact you.

Getting there

From US 20: 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved) From US 26: 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE on State Hwy 29, then three miles east on River Road (paved). From State Hwy 71: 25 miles west on the unpaved portion of River Road.

Weather & when to go

Summers can be very warm, high 90's to 100 with the frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Plan to hike early and come down from the higher points if storms threaten. Winter temperatures can dip as low as -20 with snow and wind. Heaviest snows can be expected in late Spring.

Visitor center

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center — Visitor Center features Miocene Mammal fossils, a 12 minute movie, and the James H. Cook Collection, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts that were gifts to James Cook and his family. The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day.

Visitor center

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Visitor center

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Visitor center

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Visitor center

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

1 bench, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid station, 2 picnic area, 2 restroom, 5 visitor information, 1 water fountain.

History

Opened

1997

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

• Park opened