Waco Mammoth National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths.
About 2 hours from Dallas by car.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
General entrance to this park is free, however there is a fee to enter the Dig Shelter. Cash, checks, and most credit cards are accepted. (American Express is not accepted). Federal passes such as the America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, and Access passes do not apply to the access fee.
Hours
| Waco Mammoth National Monument | Daily · 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
Hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Closed |
When to go
March draws the most visits here and February the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Welcome CenterPassport stamp
Guided tours of the Dig Shelter begin here. Tours are conducted every 30 minutes, no reservation needed. Tours last from 45 minutes to one hour. Tour guides will lead you from the Welcome Center, down a 300 yard paved path to the Dig Shelter where mammoth fossils are in situ (still in their…
No campgrounds, no webcams or events in Park Service data. What is here comes from the official page. The rest lives there.
Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the Park Service publishes the data.
Explore
Things to do
- Camel Trail
A 200 yard dirt and gravel trail that allows you to enjoy nature at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
Opens on the Park Service site - Honey Locust Trail
A 1/4 mile dirt and gravel trail that branches off the Eagle Trail.
Opens on the Park Service site - Eagle Trail
A 1/2 mile trail takes you through the Texas landscape.
Opens on the Park Service site - Mammoth Trail
A short, paved trail takes you from the Welcome Center to the Dig Shelter where you can see the fossilized remains of Ice Age animals.
Opens on the Park Service site - All About Hiking at Waco Mammoth National Monument
Enjoy 21st century plants and animals in addition to viewing ice age fossils.
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit the Dig Shelter45-60 Minutes
Mammoths, and camels, and saber-toothed cats! Oh my! The Dig Shelter at Waco Mammoth National Monument houses the fossilized remains of ice age animals, most notable the only nursery herd of Columbian mammoths to be discovered in the United States.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Forsgard HomesteadBuilding · Waco · 3.5 mi
- HippodromeBuilding · Waco · 3.5 mi
- Earle-Napier-Kinnard HouseBuilding · Waco · 3.6 mi
- John Wesley Mann HouseBuilding · Waco · 3.6 mi
Guidebooks for Texas's national parks and the Southwest
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Weather & climate
The monument enjoys a sunny, mild climate during three seasons of the year. Spring: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Rain is common in April and May. Summer: Temperatures range from 70 F to 95 F (21 C/35 C). Temperatures can exceed 100 F (38 C) in July and August. Lightweight clothing and sunscreen are advisable. Be prepared with plenty of water. Fall: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Winter: Temperatures range from 35 F to 65 F (2 C/18 C). Snow and ice are rare.
Questions people ask
Does Waco Mammoth charge an entrance fee?
No. Waco Mammoth is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Waco Mammoth?
Standard hours are 9:00AM - 5:00PM, every day. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
How busy is Waco Mammoth?
91,678 recreation visits in 2025, number 225 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Waco Mammoth?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at Waco Mammoth?
The monument enjoys a sunny, mild climate during three seasons of the year. Spring: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C).
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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