Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco Mammoth National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Texas.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Camel Trail: A 200 yard dirt and gravel trail that allows you to enjoy nature at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
• Honey Locust Trail: A 1/4 mile dirt and gravel trail that branches off the Eagle Trail.
• Eagle Trail: A 1/2 mile trail takes you through the Texas landscape.
• 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.
• All About Hiking at Waco Mammoth National Monument: Enjoy 21st century plants and animals in addition to viewing ice age fossils.
• Visit the Dig Shelter (45 to 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. Tour the Dig Shelter and imagine what life in Central Texas was like 65

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The park is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. A Dig Shelter access fee does apply.

Getting there

From I-35 North, take exit 339 and head west on Lake Shore Drive. Turn right on Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument. From I-35 South, take exit 335C and head northwest on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Continue straight onto Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument. The Monument is easily accessible via personal vehicle, bus, or motor home.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Welcome Center](): Mon 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Tue 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Wed 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Thu 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:00PM - 5:00PM. Open everyday except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Hot Springs, about 312 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Waco Mammoth National Monument (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.