Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park

State: Nebraska. Type: state historical park and fossil site in Antelope County, near Royal. 360 acres; National Natural Landmark since 2006. Preserves a Miocene-epoch (roughly 12-million-year-old) ash-fall bonebed discovered in 1971 by paleontologist Michael Voorhies. Managed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Nebraska State Museum in partnership with Nebraska Game and Parks; opened to the public in 1991.

Ashfall Fossil Beds preserves an extraordinary snapshot of prehistoric life in northeastern Nebraska: a watering hole where dozens of animals, from rhinoceroses to horses, camels and birds, were buried and preserved by volcanic ash roughly 12 million years ago. The ash drifted nearly 1,000 miles from a massive eruption of the Bruneau-Jarbidge supervolcano in what is now Idaho, settling thickly enough in this low spot, 8 to 10 feet deep, to entomb animals that had gathered there, likely already weakened by the ash fall itself. Paleontologist Michael Voorhies discovered the site in 1971 after spotting a juvenile rhinoceros skull eroding from a gully on a Nebraska farm. The Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation purchased the land in 1986, and the park opened to visitors in 1991, with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln continuing to manage ongoing excavation and research. The centerpiece for visitors is the Hubbard Rhino Barn, a large pavilion built over an active dig site where specially constructed walkways let guests watch real paleontological work in progress and see fossilized skeletons still partially embedded in the ancient ash bed.

The park is located in Antelope County in northeastern Nebraska, near the small community of Royal, at an address of 86930 517 Ave, Royal, NE 68773. It sits in a rural part of the state, reached by county and state highways rather than an interstate.

Northeastern Nebraska has a continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters, and the park's seasonal operating schedule (open roughly May through mid-October) reflects the fact that the site is largely an outdoor/unheated visitor experience outside the main building. Specific temperature averages for Antelope County were not confirmed from the sources used for this entry.

The park operates on a seasonal schedule from around May 1 through mid-October, so any visit must fall within that window; it is closed the rest of the year. Late May through Labor Day offers the longest daily hours (9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, plus Sunday afternoons), making early-to-mid summer the most flexible time to plan a visit.

In 1971, University of Nebraska paleontologist Michael Voorhies discovered a juvenile rhinoceros skull eroding out of a gully on a Nebraska farm, leading to the identification of an extraordinarily well-preserved ash-fall bonebed. The animals found here died roughly 12 million years ago during the late Miocene epoch after a massive eruption of the Bruneau-Jarbidge supervolcano, located nearly 1,000 miles away in present-day Idaho, blanketed the region in volcanic ash; the ash pooled to a depth of 8 to 10 feet in this particular depression around an ancient watering hole. The Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation purchased the site in 1986, and the state historical park opened to the public in 1991. The site earned National Natural Landmark designation in 2006. The Hubbard Rhino Barn, a 17,500-square-foot pavilion built over the main excavation, opened in 2009, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln continues to manage ongoing research and excavation at the site today.

The main activity is touring the Hubbard Rhino Barn, where elevated walkways let visitors watch ongoing fossil excavation and see skeletons of rhinos, horses, camels and birds still partially embedded in the ash layer. The Visitor Center and Hashtag Heritage Center provide additional exhibits and context. Nature trails wind through the surrounding prairie landscape, though some sections are unpaved and not wheelchair accessible. Guided group tours can be arranged in advance for larger parties.

The Hubbard Rhino Barn is the park's centerpiece, housing the active dig site. The Visitor Center offers introductory exhibits on the site's discovery and significance, and the Heritage Center adds further interpretive space. Outdoor nature trails let visitors explore the surrounding grassland setting beyond the main excavation building.

The park is reached by car via rural Antelope County roads near Royal, Nebraska; there is no commercial airport nearby, and the site is a considerable drive from Nebraska's larger cities (Omaha and Lincoln are several hours away by road). A personal or rental vehicle is necessary to reach the park.

As of research, the park is open seasonally: May 1-24, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; May 25-August 31, Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. plus Sunday 12:30-4:30 p.m.; September 7-October 12, Wednesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. plus Sunday 1:30-4:30 p.m. The park is closed the remainder of the year. Confirm current-year dates on museum.unl.edu/ashfall before visiting.

As of research, admission was $10 per person for adults and children age 4 and up, with children under 4 free and University of Nebraska State Museum members admitted free with a valid membership card. A Nebraska Game and Parks vehicle park entry permit is required in addition to admission. Confirm current pricing before visiting.

Most visitors spend one and a half to three hours touring the Rhino Barn, Visitor Center and a short nature trail walk.

The park sits in a rural, sparsely populated part of Antelope County, so nearby lodging is limited; visitors typically stay in nearby small towns such as Royal, Orchard or Neligh, or in the larger community of Norfolk, roughly 45 minutes away, which offers a wider range of chain hotels and motels.

On-site food service is limited to a small gift-shop/snack offering per typical state-museum-site facilities; most visitors bring a picnic lunch or plan meals in nearby towns such as Royal, Neligh, or Norfolk, which has a broader selection of casual restaurants.

Neligh Mills State Historic Site, a preserved 19th-century flour mill, is within a reasonable drive in Antelog/Antelope County. The town of Norfolk, about 45 minutes away, offers additional attractions and services for visitors extending their trip through northeastern Nebraska.

There is no nearby commercial airport; the nearest larger regional airport service is generally found in Norfolk or further afield. A car is the only practical way to reach the park, given its rural location.

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for the nature trails, some of which are unpaved and uneven. Pets are allowed only on a 6-foot leash and only outside the Visitor Center, so plan accordingly if traveling with an animal. For any emergency, dial 911; the park's own office can be reached at 402-893-2000 for site-specific concerns.

Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection for the outdoor trail sections, and water are recommended, since part of the visit involves walking outside between buildings and along trails. A camera is popular for photographing the exposed fossil skeletons in the Rhino Barn.

Because the park operates on a seasonal schedule (roughly May through mid-October) and different hours apply to different date ranges, check the current calendar on museum.unl.edu/ashfall before planning a trip. Groups wanting a guided tour should book in advance rather than expecting one on arrival. Combine the visit with other northeastern Nebraska stops, such as Neligh Mills, given the drive required to reach this rural site.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For visitor questions, the park's office phone is 402-893-2000, per the University of Nebraska State Museum's official visitor information.

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park (University of Nebraska State Museum) - https://museum.unl.edu/ashfall/ashfall-fossil-beds/visit/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.