Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Established in 1965 to preserve and protect Miocene age fossils and the Cook Collection of Native American Artifacts.

Agate Fossil Beds is nearly 3000 acres of mixed grass prairie situated in the middle of Sioux County in NW Nebraska. 20 million year old fossils were found here in the late 1800's and excavations went on from 1904 - 1920's. Handmade gifts from Red Cloud and others make up the Cook Collection.

Art in the Park! Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 11:00am-3:00pm. Come and go as you like.Catherine “Cat” Robinson is a ...
02/26/2026

Art in the Park! Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 11:00am-3:00pm. Come and go as you like.

Catherine “Cat” Robinson is a Colorado based fiber artist and landscape painter. She received a BFA in 2011 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She moved to Colorado shortly after school to learn how to paint landscapes. Her paintings of the landscape inspired and continue to inform her fiber works and artists books. Catherine has shown her work in juried exhibitions throughout the United States and frequently shows in her home state of Colorado. Her work is also included in the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection in Chicago and the Special Collections at Denver University.

While she is here, Ms. Robinson plans to share her knowledge through a workshop in the visitor center. These are her words, "In this workshop we will begin by using inks and thinned paints as washes over paper. Once the first layer dries participants will work back into the colored papers with meditative 'doodles' allowing the colors and shapes created in the first step to inform on a subconscious level the drawings overlaid on top." This program is free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.

Photo by Cat Robinson. A woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes wears a burnt orange sweater. A three-dimensional box art hangs on the wall behind her.

01/28/2026

The staff of our western Nebraska national parks are excited to announce a 12-week paleontology internship for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and Scotts Bluff National Monument through the Scientists-In-Parks (SIP) and Americorps programs. Please follow this link to find the website for student applications and additional information on the internship: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/p/7a746df3f5cf-paleontology-assistant-12-weeks-americorps

If you know anyone else who might be interested, please don't hesitate to share this post with them!

Image - Three paleontologists work using tools to remove a fossil that has been wrapped in a plaster cast. NPS/Eric Graves

Happy Holidays!The Agate visitor center will be closed Thursday, December 25th for Christmas and Thursday, January 1st f...
12/24/2025

Happy Holidays!
The Agate visitor center will be closed Thursday, December 25th for Christmas and Thursday, January 1st for New Year's Day!

The trails are always open from sunrise to sunset.

NPS Photo: A frost covered tree in the foreground with a snowy landscape and the Fossil Hills covered in snow in the background on a sunny day with a blue sky.

Seasonal Maintenance Worker LeaderWe're Hiring! Seasonal Maintenance Worker LeaderLocation: Harrison, Nebraska (Agate Fo...
12/13/2025

Seasonal Maintenance Worker Leader

We're Hiring! Seasonal Maintenance Worker Leader

Location: Harrison, Nebraska (Agate Fossil Beds National Monument) Pay: $29.34 – $34.23/hour Seasonal Term: April/May – October 2026 (up to 1039 hours) Application Period: Opens December 15, 2025 | Closes May 29, 2026 Government Housing May Be Available

About the Location:

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a hidden gem in the National Park System, supported by an enthusiastic and creative staff. Located 25 miles south of Harrison along the Niobrara River, the park features fossil quarries rich with Miocene Epoch mammal fossils and a museum housing the Cook Collection—a remarkable assemblage of Plains Indian artifacts.

Summer days are typically sunny and dry, reaching into the 90s, while winters can dip below zero with occasional snowfall. The monument is 50 miles north of Scotts Bluff National Monument and the towns of Scottsbluff and Gering—regional hubs for shopping, education, air travel, and medical care. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, and the park is just a scenic two-hour drive from Colorado’s Front Range and South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Why You’ll Love This Job:

· Competitive hourly pay

· Full-time seasonal schedule

· Work in a stunning natural setting

· Lead a dedicated maintenance crew

· Gain valuable leadership experience

· Potential access to government housing

Job Details:

· Temporary appointment (up to 1039 hours)

· WL-7 Pay Grade

· No travel or relocation reimbursement

· Not eligible for telework

· No drug test or security clearance required

· Credentialing & Suitability/Fitness review required

Apply Now: Visit USAJOBS.gov and search for “Seasonal Maintenance Worker Leader – Harrison, NE” Anticipated Start Date: April–May 2026

NPS Photo: A uniformed employee stands in the open door of a green tractor with a loader on the front end and a mower on the back.

Success! The Artist in Residence program by Daniel Moore was a hit with participants. Everyone learned something and had...
11/30/2025

Success! The Artist in Residence program by Daniel Moore was a hit with participants. Everyone learned something and had a fun time that resulted in some amazing drawings.

NPS Photo: Twelve pencil on paper drawings of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument landscape done by participants in the class by Daniel Moore.

Happening at Agate!Artist in Residence, Daniel Moore, is scheduled to present "Drawing on Nature" on Sunday, November 23...
11/19/2025

Happening at Agate!

Artist in Residence, Daniel Moore, is scheduled to present "Drawing on Nature" on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 1:00pm.-3:00pm. The program will begin in the visitor center theater with a short presentation. Visitors are then invited to try their hand at drawing outside with guidance from Mr. Moore. The workshop is free and drawing materials will be provided. In the case of inclement weather, the drawing activity will be inside.

Photos: Two pencil drawings by Daniel Moore of landscape at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. They show plants and landmarks. The lower right photo is Daniel Moore, a white male with brown hair, glasses and dark clothing.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is open every day of the week on winter hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Trails are ope...
11/14/2025

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is open every day of the week on winter hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Trails are open from dawn until dusk.

NPS Photo: A ranger talks with a school group in front of the fossil diorama exhibit.

A prescribed burn is scheduled for Saturday, September 27. The south side of the park and the Fossil Hills Trail will be...
09/27/2025

A prescribed burn is scheduled for Saturday, September 27. The south side of the park and the Fossil Hills Trail will be closed to visitors. Areas of smoke or blowing smoke may cause visibility issues. Drive with care. The Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Thanks for hosting a fun learning environment at Ft. Robinson!
09/11/2025

Thanks for hosting a fun learning environment at Ft. Robinson!

Jeremy Red Eagle is here! Come visit with him Tuesday, Aug. 5 and Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 9:30am. to 4:30pm. in the Visit...
08/05/2025

Jeremy Red Eagle is here! Come visit with him Tuesday, Aug. 5 and Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 9:30am. to 4:30pm. in the Visitor Center.

Jeremy Red Eagle is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. He lives in the Enemy Swim District of the Lake Traverse Reservation. He also descends from the Nakoda (Assiniboine) people of Ft Belknap MT. His work for the past fifteen plus years has been working to learn and pass on the Dakota language and culture.

Jeremy has been working with Native American youth for the past thirteen years. Encouraging language vitalization, traditional bow making and games, stories, and traditional art. He believes in a wholistic approach to working with our youth. “Although we are faced with many social ailments in Indian country”, Jeremy chooses to focus on the solutions instead of the problems. He believes the solutions are based on the Dakota way of life.

His primary focus today, is revitalizing plains style bow and arrows accompanied with horseback archery. During his time at the park, Mr. Red Eagle will be researching the park museum collection and presenting techniques on crafting bows, arrows, and games used by Dakota, Lakota, and other indigenous peoples across the Great Plains.

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Red Eagle. Jeremy Red Eagle wears a folded blue bandana around his forehead, earrings in both ears, and facial hair with a white t-shirt.

Christmas in July Lakota Style! Harmony Star Straub will teach four FREE beaded ornament classes in the style of her tra...
07/24/2025

Christmas in July Lakota Style!

Harmony Star Straub will teach four FREE beaded ornament classes in the style of her traditional Lakota heritage. The classes will start at 9:30am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. Ten slots are open for each class but others are welcome to observe. Supplies will be provided. Reservations are open for 7 of the 10 slots, leaving the open 3 to first come first served on site. Reserved spots will only be held for 15 minutes and then others present will be allowed in that spot.

Have fun and express your creativity with a traditional Lakota beaded ornament! This is your chance to make a unique special holiday gift.

NPS Photo: Four women sit at a table with a colorful tray of tiny bright colored beads. They hold an ornament in their hands.

Agate After Dark! Friday, July 25, 8:00pm-10:00pm.Ever wondered where you fit in the Milky Way universe? Join rangers an...
07/23/2025

Agate After Dark! Friday, July 25, 8:00pm-10:00pm.

Ever wondered where you fit in the Milky Way universe? Join rangers and volunteers for a fun evening exploring the night sky. The program begins inside with Ranger Anne presenting What's Your Galactic Address? Volunteer Tom and Ranger Brian will take us outside for star stories, constellation observations, and telescope viewing.

Dress appropriately for changing temperatures as the evening cools. Bug spray and camp chairs or blankets are also recommended for this portion of the program. Bring a red flashlight or a regular one and a ranger will convert it for you.

NPS Photo: The Milky Way viewed from Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. A dark sky with lots of white stars clustered in the center in a brighter gaseous mass.

Address

301 River Road
Harrison, NE
69346

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13086654113

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