Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

I don’t want to talk bad about Nebraska, but the truth is that Nebraska’s National Parks are… well… boring. Scott’s Bluff was cool and all, for the 30 minutes it takes to visit, but Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (my 75th National Park visited) was very “blah”, especially considering how far out in the middle of nowhere-Nebraska it is. Sure, sure, I know that the National Parks do not exist to entertain [me] and all. Instead their primary reason of existence is to preserve, for which I am happy they do exist, so let me get of my high horse now. So…

The 50-mile (or so) drive had us navigate North through the [barely] rolling hills and farmland of Western Nebraska. Not much out there but grass and cell towers, none of which provided us any service. We arrived at Agate in the late morning after leaving Scottsbluff, NE where we stayed the night before and decided the 3 mile drive into the park – which was the entire length of the road system in the park – did not necessitate the unhitching of the Airstream. So off the the Visitor’s Center we went, and parked, and entered, to get my lapel pin and see the few fossils on display. Inside, there was an impressive display of Native American Indian items on display as this area was obviously occupied by Native American’s before we Europeans came over and sneezed, killing most before killing the rest by hand and stealing their land.

We decided to go on for a trail hike, but which trail? The choice was not too difficult as there are only two trails, one of which was right outside the Visitor’s Center. At two miles long, and paved every inch of it’s length, the trail was far from being difficult. In fact, it was far from being anything at all. Nothing was really showcased but for a few holes scratched into the ground with a sign stating that some bones were excavated here some decades ago. I felt bad that on our way back to the truck we passed a family on their way out and I did not tell them to stop and turn around now, saving themselves the hour or so of complaining children.

So, we piled back into the air conditioned truck, decided not to stay at our planned overnight spot just up the road, and happily drove into South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest. Thanks Nebraska, but it may be another 20+ years before I visit again… or maybe not at all.