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Waco, Texas / Landmarks

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Explore the United States' only recorded evidence of an Ice Age Columbian mammoth nursery herd, preserved in situ within a scenic wooded park along the Bosque River.

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Waco Mammoth National Monument
Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0

What is the Waco Mammoth National Monument known for?

It is the site of the United States' first and only recorded evidence of an Ice Age Columbian mammoth nursery herd.

What are the hours of operation for the Waco Mammoth National Monument?

The monument is open Monday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Is it free to visit the Waco Mammoth National Monument?

General entrance to the park is free, but there is a fee to enter the Dig Shelter.

How do I access the Dig Shelter?

Access to the Dig Shelter is by guided tour only, where visitors can see fossils that remain in situ in the original bone bed.

What else was found at the site?

In addition to the remains of 22 Columbian mammoths, the site yielded the remains of a camel and the tooth of a juvenile saber-tooth cat.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Waco Mammoth National Monument protects a paleontological site of global significance. It is the site of the United States’ first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of Ice Age Columbian mammoths, creatures that could stand as tall as 14 feet and weigh 20,000 pounds. The discovery began in 1978 when two young men, Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin, stumbled upon a large bone eroding from a ravine while searching for arrowheads. Between 1978 and 1997, researchers discovered the fossil remains of 22 Columbian mammoths, a camel, and the tooth of a juvenile saber-tooth cat. The site opened to the public in December 2009 and was designated a national monument on July 10, 2015, by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act, becoming the 408th unit of the National Park System. It is managed in partnership with the City of Waco and Baylor University, with the Mayborn Museum Complex serving as the official repository for removed materials. Visitors can explore the monument, which sits within over 100 acres of wooded parkland along the Bosque River. A central feature is the Dig Shelter, where fossils remain in situ, meaning they are still in their original position within the bone bed, providing a rare glimpse into the Pleistocene Epoch. Access to the Dig Shelter is available only via guided tours.

Visitor tips

  • General entrance to the park is free, but there is a fee to enter the Dig Shelter.
  • The monument is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The site is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
  • Access to the Dig Shelter is by guided tour only.

Nearby context

The monument is located at 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr., situated within 100+ acres of wooded parkland along the Bosque River in Waco, Texas.

Sources

Evidence and links