The Mammoth Site-Digging for Dinosaurs in South Dakota

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Calling all aspiring paleontologists! Did you know there is an active dig site you can visit in South Dakota? The Mammoth Site allows visitors to observe actual paleontologists at work. If you’re lucky, you may be able to join a dig too. Read on to find out all of the info on this amazing place.

The Mammoth Site

The Mammoth Site was discovered in 1974 in Hot Springs, South Dakota, while the ground was being leveled. Contractors were clearing ground for a housing development and instead came upon a 7 foot long tusk! After a summer of more and more mammoth discoveries, the land owner donated the 14 acres and turned the area into a non-profit. Discoveries still continue to this day! To read more about the history behind this site, visit The Mammoth Site’s website here.

What to Expect when visiting The Mammoth Site

Upon entry, you will see the huge display of a mammoth skeleton. From this center area (including a gift shop, of course) you can choose to enter the dig site or see other museum-like displays.

The Dig Site

When you walk into the dig area, you will immediately focus in on the paleontologists at work. The active area is closed off to visitors by a partition. You are able to walk completely around the area and can even get a view from above to observe what is happening. While not immediately thrilling, it is a very cool job to watch happening live!

The paleontologists were kind enough to answer questions if you were close to them as you walked around. The entire space is self-guided, so you are free to double back or stay a long time in one area.

On the periphery of this large space are displays and examples of fossils and other animals from prehistoric times.

The Mammoth Site for Kids

The site has undergone some changes since our visit. However, according to the website there are still interactive displays for kids (and adults!) to enjoy. When my family was there, my youngest enjoyed trying to uncover “fossils” in the mock dig site that was just at his height.

The website no longer lists the larger museum displays. I hope they are still there (If you’ve visited recently let me know!!). The displays showed how the Indigenous people of the area lived.

Summer Classes at The Mammoth Site

While a visit to The Mammoth Site to observe is very cool, actually getting your hands dirty and digging is way cooler! Despite being from out of state, I was still able to sign my kids up for a summer class at The Site. They currently have three different programs to choose from, running from June 1-August 15.

My older kids (around 8 and 10 years) took the Junior Paleontology class in a separate area of the building from the general public (admission to The Mammoth Site is still required). They learned about paleontology and what the proper techniques for digging are. Then they got in the dirt and tried it out!

The other classes the Site is currently offering are the paleontology class for the entire family and an ice age class for ages 8 and up where you will learn to use an atlatl!

Admission and Hours

General Admission to The Mammoth Site

Ages 3 and under-FREE
Ages 4-12 $12.00
Ages 13-59 $15.00
Ages 60+ $13.00
Military $13.00

*Note, it looks like there may be a small discount if you book tickets ahead on the website!

Extra Fees for Classes

Family Dig $48.00 for up to six people
Family Ice Age Hunt $11.09 per person (ages 8+)
Junior Paleontology Class pricing and registration information unavailable online as of publication date

Hours of Operation

The Mammoth Site is open 7 days a week and hours vary by month. They are currently as follows:

November 1-February 28 9:00-3:30
March 1-May 14 9:00-5:00
May 15-August 23 8:00-6:00
August 24-October 31 9:00-5:00

In my opinion, this is one of the gems of the Black Hills of South Dakota! If you’ve been recently, please comment below and let me know what you think!

Looking for a place to stay nearby? Check out these listings for Hot Springs hotels.

Looking for more in the South Dakota area? Read these posts:

A quick Afternoon in Rapid City, SD
How to Strike Gold in Keystone, SD
Devils Tower-How to Avoid the Prairie Dogs!

Travel to All 50 States with The Chaos Manager!

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