Ashfall Fossil Beds

08/29/2026

Check out this article celebrating our 35th anniversary and findings on bone-crushing dogs. Happy !
https://research.unl.edu/blog/unl-researchers-continue-to-uncover-prehistoric-discoveries-at-ashfall-fossil-beds/

Thirty-five years on — well, 12 million technically — Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park continues to offer up important glimpses of prehistoric life in Nebraska.

08/08/2026

Happy – this week the iconic “Clash of the Mammoths” exhibit at Trailside Museum turned 30! This fossil display features 2 bull mammoths who died with their tusks locked in combat after fighting over mating rights. It’s one of the world’s best examples of fossilized mammoth and mammal behavior. And it was found just 13 miles from the museum! The exhibit opened August 4, 1996. Swing by our sister site and check out this iconic piece of Nebraska’s natural history.

08/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who braved the July Nebraska heat to make the 2026 Public Fossil Dig a success! It was a joy to work with you all, and we look forward to hosting the dig again in upcoming years!

07/11/2026

Happy ! We are hosting a Public Fossil Dig at the end of July! 🦴

Join UNSM paleontologists and paleontology student interns from Ashfall Fossil Beds.

The 2026 public fossil excavation will take place in rural Antelope County, Nebraska, near Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park. Previous excavations at this site have uncovered camel and horse fossils, as well as a large species of barrel-bodied rhino, Teleoceras fossiger.

Excavation dates are July 23-25, 2026. A maximum of 12 participants are allowed each day. Participants must be at least 16 years of age, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (19+). Registration costs $100/registrant per day.

Check out more info and sign up here: https://71324.blackbaudhosting.com/71324/Ashfall-Fossil-Dig-2026-23Jul2026

07/04/2026

“Wake up, sleepy heads!” Mama skunk roused her three kits from slumber.
“Today is a special day!”

“Oh! Oh! Oh! What day is it?” the little trio cried.
“We hope it’s something nifty!”

“Today,” said Mama, “is the 4th of July…the birthday of our country…and it’s not just any birthday…the USA is turning 250 today.”

The little skunks fell silent. They really love a birthday, but can a country have a birthday?…and 250 years? They didn’t know what to say.

Mama saw their confusion; she knew just what to do.
“Follow me,” she said, “I know the perfect someone to explain this day to you.”

The Skunk family paid a visit to their friend, Alder, the majestic bald eagle, who always sits up high.
“I’m glad you came.” said Alder. “The birthday of our country is quite a story! I’d love to tell you why.”

Sunny, Honey, and Bunny we’re enchanted to hear how the United States of America came to be.
And Mama got a lump in her throat to hear again about the home of the brave and the land of the free.

“Little kits,” said Alder, “this is a happy occasion! Celebrate with joy and pride.”
“But do so remembering the sacrifices so many made for you. Keep a humble heart inside.”

The Skunk kits hugged their mama…and they hugged Alder too.
All the things they felt inside were wonderful and new.
Though they’re still quite young and small they somehow understood.
That just by being the best little skunks possible, they were building something good.

06/27/2026

Join us for a Rockin' good time to celebrate Ashfall Fossil Beds' 35th anniversary. At Rockin' Rhino Bash we'll have fossil preparation and casting, hands-on activities, demonstrations on fossil trackways, and more. Plus enjoy some cake and ice cream in our picnic pavilion.

The event is on Saturday, July 11 from 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. and activities are included with admission.

06/26/2026

Mama Skunk and her Kits have been enjoying the summer…

“I think the stars and clouds are neat!” said Sunny.
“Oh, it’s all the yummy things we get to eat!” giggled Bunny.
“To me,” said Honey, “it’s the wildflowers that are sweet.”

“Ah yes! It’s wonderful in June,” Mama Skunk smiled,
“but the days are adding up and July is coming soon.”

“What happens in July?” the three kids cried!
“We celebrate some birthdays!” Mama Skunk replied.

The kits were so excited! “Tell us, won’t you please,
whose birthdays it could be!”

“Not quite yet.” Mama snuggled her little ones close.
“You’ll have to wait and see…”

06/19/2026

Friends, this we wanted to share an update on our Trailside Museum location. We've reopened the museum, and the fire containment has improved. However, many activities at the Fort are currently unavailable and summer tourism to the area will likey be impacted. We are offering free admission to Trailside Museum through the end of July to say thank you to our first responders and to help support our neighbors in the community by being a space they can explore. If you'd like to help support Trailside Museum and its operations this summer, donations can be made here: go.unl.edu/trailsidemuseum

06/11/2026

Our sister site Trailside Museum is closed until further notice due to the South Fork Fire. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and their families. We will provide updates on the museum when we have more information.

Trailside Museum is closed until further notice due to the South Fork Fire. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and their families. We will provide updates on the museum when we have more information.

05/11/2026

Join us in congratulating Whitney from Trailside Museum on winning the Outstanding Frontline Employee award from Visit Nebraska!

She was selected from dozens of applicants for the huge improvements she has implemented at Trailside, such as modernizing the space, opening an encounter center, and working with local suppliers to bring custom items to the gift shop.

If you haven't visited in a while, take a trip to Trailside Museum to see some of the incredible changes. Now open for the season, Wednesday-Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm https://museum.unl.edu/trailside/

Happy !