Due to unforeseen circumstances, Trailside Museum is closed until further notice.

Our Family of Museums:

Exhibits

The exhibits at Trailside Museum allow visitors to explore the natural history of Nebraska's past and present. 

  • Ice Age Mammals

    Ice Age Mammals
    Learn about the creatures who lived on the great plains during the Ice Age though fossils and other displays in this exhibit. Newly renovated Summer 2021.

  • What is a Fossil

    What is a Fossil?
    As you explore this exhibit you will learn what fossils are, about direct and indirect fossil evidence, and what makes a pseudo fossil.

  • Clash of the Mammoths

    Clash of the Mammoths
    This display highlights two Ice Age mammoths that died in combat in the Badlands just 13 miles from Trailside Museum, as well as the two feuding paleontologists for whom they’re named.

  • Cretaceous Sea

    Cretaceous Sea
    Nebraska was covered by a shallow warm inland sea from 75 to 100 million years ago. In this exhibit you will learn about some of the creatures and geology of that time.

  • Bone Slabs

    Bone Slabs
    Learn about the creatures preserved in the Aletomeryx and Stenomylus bone slabs and fossils found in a deadly ancient waterhole from Agate National Monument of Nebraska.

  • Geology W Neb

    Geology of Western Nebraska
    Explore the geology of areas like the Badlands, Pine Ridge, and the White River Valley. The rock layers in these locations contain the fossils and stories of different eras in time.

  • Rocks & Minerals

    Rock & Mineral Displays
    View agates native to Nebraska as well as other minerals exhibiting natural fluorescence.

  • Hidden Prairie

    Hidden Prairie
    Explore the diversity of plant and animal life found in one square meter of prairie in this exhibit inspired by the work of Chris Helzer.