Visit the Dig Shelter
Waco Mammoth National Monument
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. Tour the Dig Shelter and imagine what life in Central Texas was like 65,000 years ago. You can even see how you size up to a life-size mammoth painting.
To see what makes Waco Mammoth National Monument special you certainly can't leave without seeing the main attraction—the fossilized remains of the only nursery herd of Columbian mammoths to be discovered in the United States. Hints of other ice age animals can be found as well including the tooth from a saber-toothed cat and a camel skeleton. 65,000 years ago a group of adult female Columbian mammoths surrounded their young to protect them. Yet on that long-ago day, they all died. Over time, others fell to the same fate. Approximately 51,000 years ago at least three mammoths died in the same location including the only adult male Columbian mammoth that has been found as of 2018. Today you can see where their bones remain in situ—in their original positions. Start your tour of the Dig Shelter by visiting the Welcome Center.
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45-60 Minutes
Dig Shelter Access Fee Adults $5.00 Seniors (over 60) $4.00 Military (with ID) $4.00 Educators (with ID) $4.00 Students (7th grade - college) $4.00 Children (Pre-K - 6th grade) $3.00 Infants & Toddlers (3 and under) Free Federal passes such as the America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, and Access passes do not apply to the access fee. Under the Operations Agreement between the National Park Service and the City of Waco, the City of Waco charges an access fee to support the preservation mission.
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Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Day
It is a 300 yard paved walk from the Welcome Center to the Dig Shelter. If a member of your party needs assistance making the 300 yard walk to the Dig Shelter, wheelchairs are available, and tour guides can carry up to 5 people in a golf cart, if necessary. Golf cart use is free of charge. Inquire about golf cart use when you purchase your tour tickets in the Welcome Center. For the hearing impaired, a Reading Companion guidebook is available for use on the tour free of charge. Ask about guidebook use when you purchase your tour tickets in the Welcome Center. Please return the guidebook to the Welcome Center at the conclusion of the visit so it can be available for others' use. For the visually impaired, a Braille version of the monument's brochure is available free of charge for check out at the Welcome Center. Please return the brochure to the Welcome Center at the conclusion of the visit so it can be available for others' use.
No — Pets are NOT allowed in the dig shelter or inside buildings. Because guided tours enter the dig shelter, pets are not allowed on tour. Only registered service animals are allowed inside buildings at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
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Dig Shelter
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