Traveler Magazine story · May 5, 2019
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs
Walk the edge of an active Ice Age dig where dozens of mammoths and many other animals have been uncovered.
Photo: South Dakota Video Tours · Approved partner media
The Mammoth Site protects an extraordinary Ice Age sinkhole and the world’s largest concentration of Columbian mammoths in one place.
What to expect
An introductory film and guided experience reveal how the sinkhole formed, why animals became trapped and how researchers carefully uncover the remains. Visitors can observe the bonebed and see scientific work happening around the active site.
For young paleontologists
Youth programs introduce excavation methods and bone identification through age-appropriate activities and mock dig experiences. Additional educational opportunities connect geology and paleontology with hands-on learning.
A living research site
The discoveries extend beyond mammoths to many other Ice Age species. Research and preservation continue, giving returning visitors a chance to see a scientific story that is still unfolding.
Originally published by Traveler Magazine’s Black Hills Attractions.