Can you reserve a site at Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours?

Yes, Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours

Tickets · Nebraska ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

3,392 ft
Elevation

Hudson-Meng Bison bone bed — Photo: Jordan Price-Recreation Management Specialist, Pine Ridge Ranger District · Recreation.gov

Located on the beautiful Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska, the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center houses one of the most important paleo-archeological discoveries in North America. Visitors can tour the bonebed enclosure and discover the mysterious past of the Bison antiquus (extinct bison) that died here.

Getting there

Caution: Internet or GPS directions may be inaccurate. The recommended route is by SD State Route (SR) 71 or NE SR 2 to Toadstool Rd (unpaved). These routes are well signed. Conditions of unpaved roads leading to Hudson-Meng can be variable. Use caution.

From the north: Coming south on Toadstool Rd, drive south parallel to the railroad tracks for 16 miles. You will pass the turn for Toadstool Geologic Park 5 miles before turning west (right) onto Sandcreek Rd and crossing the tracks. Drive another 7 miles. Watch for signs.

From the south: Coming north on Toadstool Rd, follow signs toward Toadstool Geologic Park, driving about 7 miles, parallel to the railroad track on your left. Then turn west (left) onto Sandcreek Rd and cross the tracks. Drive another 7 miles. Watch for signs.

Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center: (308) 665-3900
Nebraska NF&G: (308) 432-0300

42.82750, -103.00040 · 42°49'39.0"N 103°0'1.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	41	52	59	69	81	89	88	79	64	50	39
Low °F	13	15	23	31	42	52	59	56	46	33	22	13
Precip in	0.6	0.6	1.3	2.2	3.0	3.2	1.9	1.7	1.5	1.4	0.7	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours

Can you reserve a site at Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours?: Yes, Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Camping near Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Tours

Red Cloud (Ne) Nebraska NF 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roberts Tract (Ne) Nebraska NF 12.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Toadstool (Ne) Nebraska NF 29.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Soldier Creek (Ne) Nebraska NF 30.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Nebraska National Forest at Chadron less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Spotted Tail Trailhead 5 mi · Facility
Outrider Trailhead 7.4 mi · Facility
Red Cloud Campground 9.1 mi · Campground
West Ash Trailhead 18.7 mi · Facility
Toadstool Geological Park and Campground 29.6 mi · Campground
Soldier Creek Campground 30.3 mi · Campground
Oglala National Grasslands 31 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

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.