The Mammoth Site

Explore an active paleontological mammoth dig site.

Research and excavations continue at the Mammoth Site. Visitors can watch the work being done while the site is being protected in a climate-controlled building. The Mammoth Site has a sinkhole and an in-situ (found in the sinkhole) featuring a museum with mammoth exhibits. It is open year-round, and all the bones on display are in the same state as they were discovered. There are walkways around the area, allowing visitors to get a closer look. So far, 61 mammoths have been found at this site, and the sinkhole is 26,000 years old.

The Mammoth Site is a nonprofit organization that participates with the scientific community. They offer classes and many educational programs. Visitors can watch a 10-minute movie to learn about the site and the sinkhole, then walk through the dig site that has markings and flags to help you navigate your way through the site. Along with mammoths, you can see other skeletal exhibits featuring camels, llamas, giant short-faced bears, wolves, coyotes, and prairie dogs. There are also bird feather fossils, fish skeletons, and many mollusk shells found here. The Mammoth Site is pet-friendly, allowing dogs to enter if they remain leashed. In front of the building, visitors can get a bag filled with dirt (with stones and fossils), allowing an interactive activity to see what you can find. This attraction is family-friendly and well worth a visit if you're traveling through South Dakota.