Active paleontological dig site and museum preserving Ice Age fossils of mammoths and other prehistoric creatures in their original sedimentary context.
General Information
Closed major holidays
Seniors (60+): $10.50
Children (4–12): $7
Under 4: Free
How to Get There
From Hot Springs, SD (1 mi): Take US-18 Bypass eastbound and follow signs to the museum entrance on the right.
Overview
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota, is a world-renowned paleontological site where visitors can witness Ice Age fossils preserved in situ. Discovered in 1974 during construction, the site revealed a prehistoric sinkhole that trapped dozens of Columbian and woolly mammoths over 26,000 years ago. Today, the site is enclosed in a climate-controlled building, allowing scientists to continue excavations while the public observes the process. The museum features life-size replicas, interactive exhibits, and educational programs that bring the ancient world to life.
Visitors can take guided or self-guided tours through the dig area, where bones remain embedded in the earth as they were found. The site also offers a Junior Paleontologist program for children and seasonal fossil preparation labs. As both a working research facility and a public museum, the Mammoth Site offers a unique blend of science and storytelling, making it a must-see destination for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Earth’s prehistoric past.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the The Mammoth Site, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
