📷 NPS staff, Public domainAgate Fossil Beds National Monument
Harrison, NE
A grassland valley where Miocene mammal bones were excavated from the hillsides, with a visitor center and a trail up to the quarry hills. Allow an hour or two and bring sun protection, as the prairie offers little shade.
Agate Fossil Beds in northwestern Nebraska protects a significant site of Miocene mammal fossils. Paleontologists excavated here in the early 20th century in the Niobrara River valley. The monument also houses the collection of James Cook, whose nearby ranch drew Lakota and Cheyenne visitors, among them Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota. The exhibit in the visitor center shows fossils as well as pieces from this collection.
The Daemonelix Trail is about 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip and leads to the "Devil's Corkscrews," spiral burrows of the ancient Paleocastor, a dry-land beaver. The Fossil Hills Trail is about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) round trip, crosses the Niobrara River and leads to historic excavation sites. Allow one to two hours for the exhibit and one trail, longer for both. The site is remote, and camping is not allowed within the monument.
- Nearest town
- Harrison, NE
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.4217, -103.7539
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Soldier Creek CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
- Soldier Creek CampgroundMotorhome stopover22 mi from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument · 76 pitchesMotorhomesElectricity
- Red Cloud CampgroundMotorhome stopover22 mi from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument · 32 pitchesMotorhomesElectricity
All campsites in Nebraska · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is in Harrison, NE, at GPS 42.4217, -103.7539. It is about 25 mi from Crawford.
Can you camp near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Soldier Creek Campground, about 21 mi away; within 25 mi there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Robinson State Park (23 mi), Toadstool Geologic Park (32 mi), Scotts Bluff National Monument (41 mi) and Chadron State Park (43 mi).
When is the best time to visit Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)