The Mammoth Site

Elizabeth Caso

2024-04

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Leah Bryant

2024-05

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Crystal Y

2024-04

Very organized way to present the site. We started out with a short video on why the site happened the way it did, so that background helped as we explored the site. It wrapped up with a displayed exhibit and fun activities for kids. Friendly staff in the gift shop. Overall, we enjoyed our visit.

Ronald H

2023-12

Very interesting! Educational. Love the self guided tour with my phone and the QR codes at each station. This allowed plenty of time for pictures and the ability to repeat the presentation when I wanted to hear something again or read it again. The accompanying pictures in the presentation were helpful in finding and identifying what I was looking at.The staff were knowledgeable and answered all my questions that were not answered on the self guided tour.The entry price is quite reasonable.The gift shop was, for the most part, reasonably priced.I will return in the future to see the progress; as this is an active archeological site, and what you see changes year to year.There are also some interactive exhibits suitable for children.

Biswanath Das

2024-01

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Julie Teran

2024-01

Like everyone who grew up with Jurassic Park, I have always wanted to visit an actual archeological dig, and now I have! This site has been active since the 1970s, and they built a gorgeous museum around it. Great information on my self-guided tour to help understand what I was looking at. You can head downstairs to see the lab where they work, visit the museum area with more photos and historical context, and hit the gift shop on your way out. Great way to spend a couple of hours in Hot Springs, SD!! Bring the kids, if you can :)

Jessica Homer

2024-04

I would say that by default for what it is, it's not going to be amazing for toddlers. My kids range in ages from 2-15 and we visited for a homeschool day. The atlatl lesson by Seth was fantastic, as was the tour! My four older children absolutely loved both. The toddler spent the atlatl lesson time chasing pine cones on the grass outside, then we alternated between a stroller and a backpack inside. Seth is a great tour guide. He is a good storyteller and engaging to listen to, and patient with all the kids' questions. I would highly recommend visiting with your family. The kids get to see a unique, active dig and learn some fascinating history. This place is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

David McMannus / daco

2024-04

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Justin Kepley

2024-01

I went in early January and was the only person there so I can't say how it would be if it was crowded.I would plan to spend a little over an hour to see everything in winter and plan on adding another 30-40 minutes for summer as the outside grounds are spacious and offer a decent view.The staff was extremely informative and friendly, more than happy to answer questions.The facility was well kept and organized. I had good internet service there and the self guided tour worked well.The cost was only $11 (military discount) but I felt it was worth it for what there was.The entrance is a longer than average walk from the parking lot with an explanation of the geology of the area as you go. I saw that they do offer a golf cart ride if you need one and can call the number posted on that sign.

Robert Quinn

2024-04

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A Jones

2023-11

Well, this isn’t a large place, and upon first pulling in and parking, it might seem that you shouldn’t have bothered. However, once inside, though, not large, it is very impressive.! we are happy we went and we’re amazed at the things we saw. Staff was very friendly and helpful.I don’t know that I would drive too far out of my way, but if you’re in the area or close by, it is certainly worth stopping in. It truly is pretty amazing for adults and children.

Sigmon Whitener

2024-04

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J Schupeffer

2024-04

So interesting here. So much information about the site. To be an archeologist!!

Guy Huffman

2023-09

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Trevis Stiles

2024-02

Definitely worth the visit. Stopped in for an hour and pretty cool to see actual mammoth bones still in the earth.

chris ellison

2023-07

We enjoyed our visit. Didn’t take long to explore the museum and dig site although you could spend as much time as you like. Not overly crowded. Not much activity in the pit but from what I read it sounds like the bones almost need to stay in place because they are fragile. Not true fossils. Also if they were digging and pulling bones out daily this wouldn’t be much of an attraction once it was all cleared out and just an open dirt pit. Actually very well done the way you can see the bones in different stages of cleaning and the positions they settled in. My kids enjoyed their visit but felt it was a little sad that so many animals got stuck in the water and died. Similar to La Brea tar pit in that regard.

Jim Pierce

2023-09

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Janie Dea

2023-10

This is an absolute wonderful place to take the family or just yourself to learn about mammoths and history.. We took the whole family and all of the kids ages 20 to 4 loved it.. We are very curious to see what they find out in a few years with their digging and future research! We recommend this place to anyone looking for an activity while on the area! They also have room for large RVs and Trailers to park while visiting which was a plus!

Nic V

2023-06

Visited the Mammoth Site at the recommendation of a family member, who travels often, as one of the neatest sights she's been to, and definitely one of the coolest things to see in the Black Hills area. We were a little apprehensive when we arrived in Hot Springs, which is a tad run down but still a quaint town, and were afraid that perhaps the Mammoth Site had seen better days as well. However, we were in for a nice surprise as the interior is well-kept and present-day technology is used there. We were told how to do the tour by a friendly and knowledgeable staff member, and began with a short 10 minute film, which gives background info, and starts the story at the very, very beginning. Then we got into the meat of the museum, which has QR codes that you scan which tells you in great detail (without being long-winded) all about what you're seeing in front of and around you, all in eight or nine stops.I was very impressed with the Mammoth Site and wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend it. If you're visiting the Black Hills area, it's definitely worth the extra drive south to Hot Springs to visit. I learned a lot and enjoyed every bit of it. Great gift shop as well with a large selection of tees and other items you can purchase to help keep the Mammoth Site alive and thriving.

Robby Hill

2023-06

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Erin Davis

2023-06

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Morgan Dorsey

2024-04

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Isabel Giraldo

2023-10

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Joe McCright

2023-09

When someone suggested this place it sounded like a tourist trap waiting to suck dollars from our wallets. Instead, we found a very interesting and engaging site with stories and artifacts that piqued our curiosity. What animals lived in North America before humans? … before Europeans arrived? How did they disappear? How do present-day scientists and researchers gather evidence? The Mammoth Site gives ideas on how to answer those questions and more.This site should be interesting for people of all ages. The displays are large and medium-sized. The displays show actual work (present time) and past discoveries.Plan to spend about 90 minutes inside. There are places outdoors to spend time afterwards.

mike skiinghousedad

2023-12

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Bear Pollard

2023-07

Was in the Black Hills for a couple days and I finally got to go to the Mammoth site. This is definitely worth the price of admission. If you are a student of paleontology or geology you'll be glad you came for a visit. The bones are incredible and watching people actively digging and cleaning the bones was definitely a plus. Highly recommend coming to this museum any chance you get.They have seniors and military discounts as well.

kandee parker

2023-07

Good value. Adult tix ~12 Decent parking for 40ft RV, if early. First watched a 10 minute video on history of Ice Age, Wolly Mammoth, sink holes, etc. Walked around site viewing actual dig with many fossils in place. Wide path so wheelchair accessible. Plus wheelchair elevator for 2nd level. Small snack shack, kids dig center, kid exploration area, yard has picnic tables, and area with actual archeologists on site. Recommend checking it out

Heidi Weber

2024-01

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Ryan Smith

2023-08

A great experience set within an active dig site. Activities for kids, clean bathrooms with water fountain, and a nice introduction video on a loop. Highly recommended and informative!

Jennifer Kucera

2023-08

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