Waco Mammoth National Monument
Waco Mammoth National Monument
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- CaptainSPISugar Land, Texas898 contributionsMammoths in TexasThe Mammoth National Historic Park (created in 2015) is one of a kind although it’s only beginning to be developed. This area is thought to have been a Columbian mammoth nursery where a catastrophic flooding event resulted in the death of 19 of these mothers and juveniles. Other animals have been discovered at this site; it is thought that many more will be unearthed in the future. Mammoths probably lived in this area for about 130,000 years; now think about where humans have lived that long. The gift shop is reasonable and the staff are highly competent and friendly. This is a must see!Visited April 2023Written 8 May 2023
- michaelpoto4Boston, Massachusetts127 contributionsAn Interesting & Engaging Way To Step Back In Time & Spend 1-3 HoursMy son and I took a 45 min. to 1 hr. Guided small group tour of this paleontology site where fossil beds of Columbian Mammoth remains are showcased. There are also fossils of a few other prehistoric animals as well. The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The site sits on many acres of park lands with trails to explore the area. A very relaxing way to spend a couple of hours learning a little about the creatures that lived at the time of the ice age.Visited May 2023Travelled with familyWritten 15 May 2023
- amfhThe Colony, Texas358 contributionsDon't miss itDon't miss this opportunity to see this spectacular paleontology find of ancient Columbian Mammoth fossils in situ. It's a nursery group mass death site, with females and juveniles... most of those bones are being studied at Baylor university but you'll be able to see a male Mammoth found by accident when the original dig was deemed complete and a nearby hill was excavated to obtain fill dirt. What a bargain for only $5 for seniors, $6 for adults. Our guide, Josie, was just wonderful, but you can do the short tour unaccompanied. Plan to spend about an hour to see everything, or longer if you have lots of questions.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 May 2023
- oilguy57Tucson, Arizona160 contributionsA wonderful addition to the National Park ServiceThis is a very special fossil site, in a near-urban setting. I visited on a Saturday so I did not see any school groups. I arrived early and had to wait for the staff to open the gates, but that enabled me to be in the first Ranger-led tour of the day. Well worth the few dollars for the guided tour to have the Ranger explain the site and the history behind it. But you need to be interested in this sort of thing! I'm a geologist and I've wanted to see it for several years. If you don't really care about fossils and geo-history...maybe take a pass. Small, but decent gift shop. All the staff were enthusiastic and wanted to show off their park. Our Ranger was exceptional at engaging with our group. It did get a bit noisy in the dig shelter when the second got there before we'd left, but not too bad.Visited May 2023Written 9 July 2023
- Dewayne PElizabethtown, Kentucky1,858 contributionsDig-ging this site!This is a neat site. There is plenty of free parking. The parks service has a small gift shop/restroom, and a tent set up with information. The tour is $6 where you are led by a ranger down to the fossil site. It is worth the trip if you are in the area.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 5 September 2023
- Kevin BMount Juliet, Tennessee2,325 contributionsNice site!This is a very interesting national monument and one that's not well known. We had decided to drive up to Dallas from Houston for a Rangers game and we detoured to Waco specifically to go here as we're big fans of the National Park Service and try to visit as many sites as we can. The Waco Mammoth National Monument was created in 2015 and is a paleontologic dig site. It consists of several fossilized mammoths and some are still in situ, which is really neat to see. There's a walkway above the dig site where you can read information on which bones you're seeing beneath you and there are rangers available for questions. We stayed here about an hour (it's a small site), but we're really glad we detoured here!Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 December 2023
- TrailTrekker15Tallahassee, Florida3,971 contributionsUnique Archeological SiteMy wife and I visited Waco Mammoth and toured the archeological site. The tour is guided and does have a small fee. It was completely worth it! There were several skeletons visible in the rock including a couple of Colombian Mammoths and an ancient camel. The dig is still active with a worker actively removing dirt in the dig. After the tour, we hiked along one of the trails through the beautiful hill country scenery. The monument was a bit crowded and parking was limited. It was great place to visit and I’d recommend adding to any trip in the area.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,243 reviews
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Hatzlacha
Virginia909 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
I give full credit to the young ranger guide who gave us the tour of the building / site. He was highly enthusiastic and seemed to know a great deal about both this species of mammoths as well as the site at large. It is impressive to quickly learn how much research has been done (and is ongoing) at this site. It's a bit like a natural history mystery tour, since you want to figure out what actually lead to this group of mammoths' deaths. Getting here and parking is easy, though it gets quite busy quickly the weekend we were there.
Written 16 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL3,971 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
My wife and I visited Waco Mammoth and toured the archeological site. The tour is guided and does have a small fee. It was completely worth it! There were several skeletons visible in the rock including a couple of Colombian Mammoths and an ancient camel. The dig is still active with a worker actively removing dirt in the dig. After the tour, we hiked along one of the trails through the beautiful hill country scenery. The monument was a bit crowded and parking was limited. It was great place to visit and I’d recommend adding to any trip in the area.
Written 15 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenC0919
Bridgewater, NJ15 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Being right in the area we felt we should add this to our itinerary. Spent about an hour at the National Park and took advantage of the guided tour that was offered. It was interesting and informative without being too long.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kleic
San Antonio, TX1,024 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
I was so excited to take a detour here as we were driving from Dallas to San Antonio and so disappointed in, well, everything. The fact that you're greeted with an outdoor souvenir stand kind of tells you everything. This is technically a National Monument but it is run more like a roadside attraction; the film clips (no actual movie) inside the tiny Visitor's Center are outdated, the talk is formulaic, and most of what you actually want to see (or at least what I wanted to see) is at a museum at Baylor in Waco. Cool to think there were mammoths walking around here but you can think about that without making a stop here.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hank M
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Your America the Beautiful Pass doesn’t work here. Even though it’s a NPS site. Rude staff, guides rude to kids. One telling a kid to “shut up, I’m taking you’ll know nothing if you keep on talking okay?.” don’t go. No NPS rangers all of the staff are city employees wearing knock off NPS uniforms. One said she worked for the National Park Service to multiple visitors when I talked to her about what other sites and parks she worked at (I am a National Park Service ranger) she immediately said she wasn’t and was sorry. Only to lie again to someone near the gift shop. My kid loves paleontology. This was a disappointment. I was buying him a toy and sticker the guy behind the counter was immediately agitated by some of my son’s questions talking to himself said “I don’t have time for this.” And just ignored him. I put his souvenirs away. Won’t be coming back and will be letting the NPS Superintendent and the Region know about Waco Mammoth.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam R
South Dakota70 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
It's a newer and small addition to the National Park Service inventory, but we'll worth it. We are very fortunate to have access to places like this.
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN2,325 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is a very interesting national monument and one that's not well known. We had decided to drive up to Dallas from Houston for a Rangers game and we detoured to Waco specifically to go here as we're big fans of the National Park Service and try to visit as many sites as we can. The Waco Mammoth National Monument was created in 2015 and is a paleontologic dig site. It consists of several fossilized mammoths and some are still in situ, which is really neat to see. There's a walkway above the dig site where you can read information on which bones you're seeing beneath you and there are rangers available for questions. We stayed here about an hour (it's a small site), but we're really glad we detoured here!
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin T
Nashville, TN24 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t one of our top things we were looking forward to, but it more than surprised us. The informative guided walk up to the dig site was great, and the site itself was so interesting. Being so close to fossils of mammoths, camels, and tortoises was so cool — and you can get VERY close! We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the visit.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,858 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This is a neat site. There is plenty of free parking. The parks service has a small gift shop/restroom, and a tent set up with information. The tour is $6 where you are led by a ranger down to the fossil site. It is worth the trip if you are in the area.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy W
Granbury, TX32 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Clean park. Friendly ranger that was patient with young children asking questions. The exhibit was air conditioned. You get to see the fossils as they were discovered
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy S
31 contributions
How long should I plan to spend there, total?
poetictravel1
Livingston, TX29 contributions
1 hour or less. It’s not a huge place but it is very cool.
Janet S
Austin, TX29 contributions
Are there any trails or park area or is it just the visitor center? Thanks.
684j
Austin, TX13 contributions
There is a short trail (maybe a half mile round trip?) to see the fossils preserved in the building. You purchase tickets and go with a tour guide to see the fossils. If you are looking for trails in Waco check out Cameron Park which is pretty close.
David A
Lumberton, TX1 contribution
How much does it cost to enter the park
Kristina D
Fort Worth, TX191 contributions
From the website:
Guided Tour Fees
Adults: $5
Seniors (over 60): $4
Military (with ID): $4
Educators (with ID): $4
Students (7th grade through college): $4
Children (preK through 6th Grade): $3
Infants (ages 3 and under): Free
National Park passes do not apply to guided tour fees. Please support our preservation mission, access to the Dig Shelter is by guided tour only.
Fred R
Pensacola, FL, United States16 contributions
Can we take a small dog in a rolling carrier?
FredinTexas
Waco, TX84 contributions
I think so. There are concrete sidewalks throughout.
Connie F
Lakehills, TX10 contributions
My husband has trouble walking and standing. He can walk short distances with a cane. Would there be places where he can sit during the tour.
debilind
Lahaina, HI117 contributions
Yes, they have golf carts for those that cannot walk to the main building. the cart is driven by an employee of the park.
Joelle B
Cherbourg-Octeville, France1,042 contributions
Quel sont les tarifs du site?
Adulte et enfants?
Merci
TriHilborn
Fort Worth, TX40 contributions
according to National Park website AND City of Waco website:
Guided Tour Fee - Adult - $5.00
Guided Tour Fee - Children (preK through 6th grade) - $3.00
Guided Tour Fee - Infants (ages 3 and under) - $0.00
Tour: 45 minutes to one hour
Open Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Standard Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
I hope you enjoy your visit to Texas!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Waco Mammoth National Monument
- Waco Mammoth National Monument is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Waco Mammoth National Monument:
- (10.54 km) Tell Story Walk
- (7.98 km) La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Waco Downtown - Baylor
- (9.47 km) Home2 Suites by Hilton Waco
- (6.81 km) Hotel 1928
- (7.29 km) Hotel Indigo Waco - Baylor, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near Waco Mammoth National Monument:
- (7.03 km) Cafe Homestead
- (7.30 km) Silos Baking Co.
- (8.15 km) Common Grounds Waco
- (6.80 km) Jake's Texas Tea House
- (7.27 km) Brazos Bar & Bistro