Waco Mammoth National Monument
Waco, TX
A covered dig shelter protects the bones of Columbian mammoths from a nursery herd that died here about 65,000 years ago. Guided tours run through the day; the site is a few minutes off I-35.
Waco Mammoth National Monument is a fossil site in Waco, McLennan County, Texas (6220 Steinbeck Bend Rd). The National Park Service calls it the first and only documented discovery of a nursery herd of Ice Age mammoths in the United States. According to Lonely Planet and Wikipedia, the animals died about 68,000 years ago, probably in a flash flood of the Bosque River.
The discovery dates to 1978, when Paul Barron and Eddie Bufkin reported a bone from an eroding creek bank, which went to Baylor University’s Strecker Museum. By 1990, 15 mammoths had been recovered; ten more were added later, plus a camel and the tooth of a young saber-toothed cat. Wikipedia counts 24 mammoths in total. Drilling suggests more animals remain in the ground. The site opened to the public in 2009 and became a national monument on July 10, 2015.
Practical: the dig shelter with its viewing walkway can be visited only on a guided tour. According to Destination Waco it is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day), and the tour costs 5 US dollars for adults; national park passes do not cover it. Please check in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Waco, TX
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 31.6068, -97.1767
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. Hot in June–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Speegleville ParkCampsite5 mi from Waco Mammoth National MonumentTentsCaravans
- 4U RV ParkMotorhome stopover8 mi from Waco Mammoth National MonumentMotorhomes
- Waco Creekside ResortCampsite8 mi from Waco Mammoth National MonumentCaravans
- Quail Crossing RV ParkMotorhome stopover8 mi from Waco Mammoth National MonumentMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- McGregor RV ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Waco Mammoth National Monument · 27 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowed
- Clifton RV ParkMotorhome stopover24 mi from Waco Mammoth National MonumentMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
All campsites in Texas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Waco Mammoth National Monument?
Waco Mammoth National Monument is in Waco, TX, at GPS 31.6068, -97.1767. It is about 55 mi from Glen Rose.
Can you camp near Waco Mammoth National Monument?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camp Fimfo Waco, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Waco Mammoth National Monument?
Waco Mammoth National Monument is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Cowtown, dinosaur tracks and mammoths: Fort Worth to Waco.
What is there to see near Waco Mammoth National Monument?
Places worth a stop nearby: Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum (5 mi), Dinosaur Valley State Park (58 mi), Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District (82 mi) and Longhorn Cavern State Park (94 mi).
When is the best time to visit Waco Mammoth National Monument?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)