Cellular voice and data service is spotty for most major carriers throughout Western Nebraska. Free visitor WiFi is available in the visitor center.
Plan ahead: check your fuel and pack your lunch before visiting. Nearest gas stations, groceries and restaurants are at least 30 miles away.
What is There to Do at Agate Fossil Beds?
Check out our world-famous diorama of Miocene mammals and the impressive displays of fossils excavated right here on site.
See the James H. Cook Collection of Lakota artifacts. Are you visiting us as part of a great plains road trip? This historically significant set of gifts from Chief Red Cloud and other Lakota and Cheyenne leaders to rancher James Cook will give you a lot of contextual background of the Plains Indian tribes and their struggle against European settlers invading their lands, from their point of view.
Hike our two trails. Do you want to see the historic dig sites and learn the history of why Agate is important to understanding the Age of Mammals? Then the 2.8 mile Fossil HIlls Trail is for you. Do you want to see fossils in the side of a hill? Then the 1 mile Daemonelix Trail is your best bet.
See our 12-minute movie "The Fossil Hills," which will provide you a good summary of how the Agate Paleoriver created an oasis of life in this area... and then dried up to cause the drama of starvation and death which created the Agate Bone Bed.
301 River Road Harrison, NE69346
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.
The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day.
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.
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.
Entrance Fee-free
This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
May 15 - Sept 30: Daily, 9:00a - 5:00p
Oct 1 - May 14: Daily, 8:00a - 4:00p
Please note that Agate Fossil Beds is in the Mountain time zone.
The visitor center is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Summer hours are May 15 through September 30.
The visitor center features a large diorama of Miocene mammal fossils, 12-minute park movie, and the James H. Cook Collection of Lakota artifacts, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts gifted to the Cook family by Chief Red Cloud and his descendants.
Two trails are open every day from dawn till dusk.
Current Hours (Winter Hours (Oct 1 to May 15))
October 1–May 14
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The visitor center is open year-round, but please note our winter hours.
Standard Hours
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
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.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Hours (Oct 1 to May 15)
October 1–May 14
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The visitor center is open year-round, but please note our winter hours.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Cellphone reception is spotty or not available for most carriers. Free public WiFi is available inside the visitor center.
