Can you reserve a site at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center?

No. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Facility · Nebraska ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (National Monument) · Open Access

4,398 ft
Elevation

Fossil Diorama Display — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

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.

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.

42.42522, -103.73419 · 42°25'30.8"N 103°44'3.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 40°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	41	43	54	61	70	81	89	88	80	65	51	40
Low °F	11	13	21	29	39	48	54	51	41	29	18	10
Precip in	0.2	0.3	0.6	1.5	2.9	2.3	2.2	1.6	1.3	1.1	0.4	0.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

James H Cook Collection — Photo: NPS Photo / Jason Gray · Recreation.gov

Chief Red Cloud's Shirt — Photo: NPS Photo / Jason Gray · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Can you reserve a site at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center?: No. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center

Soldier Creek (Ne) Nebraska NF 20.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Toadstool (Ne) Nebraska NF 30.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roberts Tract (Ne) Nebraska NF 34.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Red Cloud (Ne) Nebraska NF 41.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Soldier Creek Campground 20.6 mi · Campground
West Ash Trailhead 28.5 mi · Facility
Toadstool Geological Park and Campground 30.8 mi · Campground
Oglala National Grasslands 34.7 mi · Facility
Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center 41.2 mi · Facility
Red Cloud Campground 41.6 mi · Campground
Outrider Trailhead 42 mi · Facility
Spotted Tail Trailhead 44.3 mi · Facility

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.