The watering holes drew prehistoric animals among the high Nebraska prairies. From horses to camels to rhinos, with wild dogs lurking nearby, animals roamed the savannah-like region.

Then one day, everything changed. Hundreds of miles away, a volcano in southeastern Idaho erupted. Within days, up to two feet of ash covered parts of present-day Nebraska.

Some of the animals died immediately, consumed by ash and other debris. Most of the animals lived for several more days, their lungs ingesting ash as they foraged on the ground for food. Within a few weeks, northeast Nebraska was devoid of animals except for a few survivors.

An adult rhinoceros fossil (3) lies next to the fossils of a baby. They are among hundreds of skeletons discovered at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historic Park in Royal, Nebraska.

More than 12 million years later, a fossil was found in Antelope County, near the small town of Royal. The skull of a baby rhino was discovered by a Nebraska paleontologist and his wife while exploring the area. The fossil was exposed by erosion. Soon after, exploration began in the area.

As more discoveries were made, the site became a tourist attraction. Today, people visit Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historic Park to see hundreds of fossils of 12 species of animals, including five types of horse, three species of camel, and a saber-toothed deer. The infamous saber-toothed cat remains a dream discovery.

Visitors view fossils inside the Hubbard Rhino Barn, a 17,500-square-foot facility that protects the fossils while allowing visitors to wander along a boardwalk. The kiosks provide information on fossils located in specific areas.

A level of the fossil beds discovered in the Ashfall Fossil Beds park.

While you’re touring the barn, if a summer intern or paleontologist is around, they’re open to talking about their work, as well as answering questions. During our visit, we learned that an inmate had discovered a fossilized dog paw print.

Outside the barn, visitors can read facts about the area, including that mammoths migrated to North America about 1.5 million years ago. A yellow flag in an area a short distance from the main road to the barn indicates the site of the rhino skull discovery. The red flags show places where additional fossils were discovered.

A yellow flag marks the site of the first skull discovery in 1971. Red flags indicate points of additional fossil finds.

Visitor Activities and Views at Ashfall Fossil Beds In addition to Hubbard Barn, Ashfall Fossil Beds features a discovery area where children can scramble through the sand in search of their own fossil discoveries. A small barn is used for special displays as well as classes.

Children play in a sandbox “hunting” for fossils.

The visitor center houses some animal remains, as well as paleontologists working on recent finds. About 60 million years before the area was home to savannah, Nebraska was part of a tropical sea.

Fossils found in the area include a plesiosaur, a mammal from the Jurassic Period. The exposed fossils were found on the Santee reservation, an hour away.

Fossils of a plesiosaur were found near Santee, about an hour from the park.c

Sculptures depicting animals from the region are found around the state historic park. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park begins its summer hours on Memorial Day weekend when it is open daily through Labor Day. Otherwise, check the website here for hours.

A state park permit ($6 per vehicle for an in-state day permit or free with an annual pass) is required to visit the park, in addition to the $7 entrance fee.