Is there an entrance fee at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee. Confirm on the official park page before a trip.

When is the best time to visit Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?

In 2025 the busiest month was June with 3,557 recreation visits and the quietest was February with 88. NPS says summers can be very warm with afternoon thunderstorms.

Are dogs allowed at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?

NPS lists pets as permitted on the Daemonelix Trail and the Fossil Hills Trail. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated.

All parks › Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Busiest month (2025): June^[2]
Recreation visits, 2025: 16,827^[3]
Visitor centers: 1^[4]

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a National Park System unit in Nebraska^[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS lists the park's two trails as open from dawn till dusk every day^[6]. The visitor center shows fossils, a short movie and a collection of American Indian artifacts^[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was June with 3,557 recreation visits^[2]. The quietest month was February with 88^[2]. NPS says summers can be very warm, with highs from the high 90's to 100 and frequent afternoon thunderstorms^[7]. It suggests hiking early and leaving higher points if storms threaten^[7]. Winter lows can reach -20 with snow and wind, and NPS notes the heaviest snows can come in late spring^[7].

Recreation visits counted by the National Park Service in each month of 2025. The busiest month, June, is highlighted^[2].

Show visits by month

Month, 2025	Recreation visits
January	107
February	88
March	470
April	898
May	2,068
June	3,557
July	3,472
August	2,935
September	2,349
October	516
November	206
December	161

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	18,264
2022^[3]	16,357
2023^[3]	15,562
2024^[3]	19,395
2025^[3]	16,827

Pets and dogs

The NPS pet rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet where they are allowed^[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and service animals are excepted^[8]. NPS lists pets as permitted on the Daemonelix Trail and the Fossil Hills Trail^[9]. Each park can close more areas to pets^[8].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee, but fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official park page before you go^[1].
The park has one visitor center listed by NPS^[4].
NPS lists activities such as hiking, stargazing, picnicking and the Junior Ranger Program^[10].
Check the forecast, since afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer^[7].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee^[1]. Confirm on the official park page before a trip.
When is the best time to visit Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?: In 2025 the busiest month was June with 3,557 recreation visits and the quietest was February with 88^[2]. NPS says summers can be very warm with afternoon thunderstorms^[7].
Are dogs allowed at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?: NPS lists pets as permitted on the Daemonelix Trail and the Fossil Hills Trail^[9]. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated^[8].
What are the trail hours?: NPS lists the park's two trails as open from dawn till dusk every day^[6].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Agate Fossil Beds National Monument as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 18,264, 2022: 16,357, 2023: 15,562, 2024: 19,395, 2025: 16,827. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center). National Park Service
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in Nebraska. National Park Service
Operating hours, Trails: The park's two trails are open from dawn till dusk every day. Visitor Center features Miocene Mammal fossils, a 12 minute movie, and the James H. Cook Collection, a unique collection of American Indian artifacts that were gifts to... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
NPS lists 2 things to do at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: Daemonelix Trail, Fossil Hills Trail. Pets permitted on 2 of them (Daemonelix Trail, Fossil Hills Trail). National Park Service
Activities NPS lists for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: Arts and Culture, Cultural Demonstrations, Astronomy, Stargazing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching,... National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.