About Ashfall Fossil Beds
Inside the Hubbard Rhino Barn near Royal, the floor is an ancient disaster scene. Skeletons of prehistoric rhinos, horses, and other animals lie together in the ash that buried a waterhole millions of years ago. Unlike a display of assembled bones moved from elsewhere, this is an active fossil site where visitors see the remains in their original positions.
Ash traveled hundreds of miles from a distant volcanic eruption and settled over the animals’ habitat. The ash and the waterhole conditions preserved an unusually detailed snapshot of life on the plains. Researchers continue to excavate and interpret the deposit, so the visit can feel like peering over the shoulder of a paleontologist rather than walking through a finished exhibit.
The site has a visitor center and trails, but the fossil bed is the reason to make the drive. Check seasonal opening dates before heading to this rural location. The museum lists admission at $10 for ages four and up, with younger children free; a Nebraska state park vehicle permit may also be needed. Give yourself time to study the crowded ash bed and its labels.