The Mammoth Site

The Mammoth Site is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of preservation, research, and interpretation of the late Ice Age record found at our site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. We are the world’s largest mammoth research facility and one of the top fossil interpretive sites in North America. Over 60 mammoths (58 Columbian, 3 woolly) have been unearthed, along with at least 87 other Late Ice Age animals.

Discover The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. You can tour this indoor active dig site and view Ice Age fossils. The Mammoth Site offers self-guided tours, enhanced educational experiences, and Summer Educational Programs. The Mammoth Site is open year-round.

Educational programs include:

Jr Paleontology Program – designed for ages 4-12 allows children to become a Junior Paleontologist while they dig for fossil replicas. A guardian must accompany children and is required to purchase admission to the Mammoth Site.

Family Dig Program – designed for the whole family. In this class, families will work together to excavate fossils in a simulated dig site. Lead by a qualified guide, participants will learn how paleontologists discover and excavate a site, using the same tools we use in the Bonebed.

Atlatl Program – designed for ages 8 and older. Participants signed up for our Atlatl Program will learn all about atlatls, from what they are to why they were used. Participants will learn what makes a projectile and how we learn about early human tools. Participants will then get to try their hand at using an atlatl.

The Mammoth Site is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.

Hours:

Open Daily

May 15 – August 15

8:00 am – 6:00 pm

August 16 – August 31

8:00 am – 6:00 pm

September 1 – October 31

9:00 am – 5:00 pm

November 1 – February 28

9:00 am – 3:30 pm

March 1 – May 15

9:00 am – 5:00 pm