Fossil Discovery Trail in Nebraska
Located in the heart of the Great Plains, the Fossil Discovery Trail is a must-visit destination for paleontology enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the natural history of Nebraska. The trail spans over 255 miles across the state, taking travelers through a diverse range of landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Sandhills region to the scenic badlands of the North Platte River valley. Along the way, visitors can discover numerous fossil sites, museums, and historical landmarks that provide a glimpse into the state's rich geological past.
One of the most notable attractions on the Fossil Discovery Trail is the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln, which houses an impressive collection of fossils and artifacts from across the state. The museum's paleontology exhibit, in particular, features an expansive display of fossilized remains, including those of ancient mammals, dinosaurs, and even a Mastodon skeleton. Another notable stop on the trail is the Hastings Museum in Hastings, which boasts an impressive collection of fossilized fish and other marine life from the region.
In the western part of the state, travelers can visit the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument near Harrison, which preserves a stunning collection of fossilized remains from the Miocene epoch, including those of ancient mammals and birds. The site also features a unique geological formation known as the "Devils's Corkscrew," a towering spiral-shaped rock formation that has been eroded over millions of years. Further west, the Trail itself continues into the Sandhills region, where visitors can explore a vast expanse of rugged terrain dotted with fossilized remains from ancient sea creatures and mammals.
The city of Ogallala, situated along the North Platte River, is home to the Petrified Wood and Fossil Collection, a unique exhibit that showcases an extraordinary range of fossilized wood and other plant life from the region. Visitors can also explore the nearby Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, which features an impressive collection of fossilized fish and other marine life from the ancient waters that once covered the area.
Another highlight of the Fossil Discovery Trail is the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal, which preserves a stunning collection of fossilized remains from the Early Cenozoic era, including those of ancient horses, rhinos, and carnivorous mammals. The park also features an impressive exhibit on the region's geological history, including a display on the Ashfall caldera, a massive volcanic eruption that encased the area in a layer of ash millions of years ago.
Throughout the state, the Fossil Discovery Trail also takes travelers through numerous small towns and villages, each with their own unique history and fossil finds. Visitors can explore local museums, fossil shops, and other attractions that provide insight into the region's rich geological past. Whether exploring the Sandhills, the badlands, or the rolling hills of the Great Plains, travelers on the Fossil Discovery Trail are sure to uncover a wealth of fascinating fossil finds and historical gems.
One of the most notable attractions on the Fossil Discovery Trail is the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln, which houses an impressive collection of fossils and artifacts from across the state. The museum's paleontology exhibit, in particular, features an expansive display of fossilized remains, including those of ancient mammals, dinosaurs, and even a Mastodon skeleton. Another notable stop on the trail is the Hastings Museum in Hastings, which boasts an impressive collection of fossilized fish and other marine life from the region.
In the western part of the state, travelers can visit the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument near Harrison, which preserves a stunning collection of fossilized remains from the Miocene epoch, including those of ancient mammals and birds. The site also features a unique geological formation known as the "Devils's Corkscrew," a towering spiral-shaped rock formation that has been eroded over millions of years. Further west, the Trail itself continues into the Sandhills region, where visitors can explore a vast expanse of rugged terrain dotted with fossilized remains from ancient sea creatures and mammals.
The city of Ogallala, situated along the North Platte River, is home to the Petrified Wood and Fossil Collection, a unique exhibit that showcases an extraordinary range of fossilized wood and other plant life from the region. Visitors can also explore the nearby Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, which features an impressive collection of fossilized fish and other marine life from the ancient waters that once covered the area.
Another highlight of the Fossil Discovery Trail is the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal, which preserves a stunning collection of fossilized remains from the Early Cenozoic era, including those of ancient horses, rhinos, and carnivorous mammals. The park also features an impressive exhibit on the region's geological history, including a display on the Ashfall caldera, a massive volcanic eruption that encased the area in a layer of ash millions of years ago.
Throughout the state, the Fossil Discovery Trail also takes travelers through numerous small towns and villages, each with their own unique history and fossil finds. Visitors can explore local museums, fossil shops, and other attractions that provide insight into the region's rich geological past. Whether exploring the Sandhills, the badlands, or the rolling hills of the Great Plains, travelers on the Fossil Discovery Trail are sure to uncover a wealth of fascinating fossil finds and historical gems.
