Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is celebrating 60 years as a National Monument on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“It’s exciting to be part of the team celebrating Agate Fossil Beds 60th anniversary,” says Beth Nunn, returning seasonal ranger. “The activities we have planned should be really fun and interesting.”
Visitors can join a ranger for a walk to the Fossil Hills at 9:30 a.m. for a tour of the historic quarry sites on Carnegie and University Hills and learn how Agate defined the study of the Age of Mammals.
A ranching and roping demonstration is scheduled on the front lawn at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This demonstration highlights skills and techniques used on western Nebraska cattle ranches.
A talk by former Nebraska State Archeologist Rob Bozell titled “The Archeology of the Nebraska Sand Hills and Panhandle”, is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. at the park visitor center.
Martin Red Bear plans to provide a demonstration of Oglala Lakota artwork. He will have a table of his artwork available to view or purchase from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mr. Red Bear is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota tribe.
Cake and refreshments provided by the park’s cooperating partner, Black Hills Parks and Forests Association, is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Admission is free and no reservations are required. American Sign Language interpreters are available upon request.
For more information, please contact the park at (308) 665-4113 or agfo_ranger_activities@nps.gov. Visit us at www.nps.gov/agfo and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agatefossilbeds.
Agate Fossil Beds is located 23 miles south of Harrison, Neb. and 34 miles north of Mitchell, Neb. along Highway 29 at 301 River Road.
