The Mammoth Site
About This Museum
Out in the rolling hills of the southern Black Hills, you'll find a place where the clock stopped for giants. The Mammoth Site isn't your typical museum; it's the actual spot where a prehistoric sinkhole once trapped and preserved a massive herd of Columbian mammoths. You walk onto a platform overlooking an active paleontological dig, the sheer scale of the bonebed laid out beneath your feet. It’s a humbling, visceral connection to an Ice Age world that feels almost within reach.
Collection Highlights
The main event is the sprawling sinkhole itself, containing the skeletons of over 60 mammoths, many left exactly where they were discovered. Beyond the mammoths, you can also see remains of a giant short-faced bear and a prairie dog that burrowed into history, all part of the ecosystem frozen in time.
Visitor Information
It's located right on US-18 in Hot Springs—you can't miss it. In the summer, it gets busy, so booking your tickets online ahead of time is a smart move to guarantee a spot.
Architecture & Building
The building is a modern, no-fuss structure designed with one purpose: to enclose and protect the ancient sinkhole dig site like a giant greenhouse.
Contact & Location
Address: 1800, University Avenue, Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota, 57747, United States
Phone: +1 605-745-6017
Website: Visit Website
