Trailside Museum of Natural History

Along the sweeping, pine-clad bluffs of northwestern Nebraska near Crawford, the Trailside Museum of Natural History offers visitors a captivating window into the region’s prehistoric past. Housed in a historic 1892 brick theater building on the grounds of Fort Robinson State Park, the museum is operated by the University of Nebraska State Museum. Upon stepping inside, guests are immediately greeted by exhibits showcasing ancient fauna, rocks, and minerals that highlight millions of years of natural history across the Great Plains.

The centerpiece of the museum—and a truly extraordinary sight—is the famous “Clash of the Mammoths” exhibit. It features the fossilized remains of two massive bull mammoths that died thousands of years ago with their tusks permanently locked in mortal combat. Discovered nearby in 1986, these Ice Age giants were preserved just as they fell, making the display one of the most remarkable paleontological discoveries in North America. Along with the mammoths, visitors can explore interactive paleontology displays and fossil collections representing the ancient inhabitants of western Nebraska.

Beyond the walls of the museum, the expansive surrounding state park provides a wealth of outdoor and historical activities. Visitors can explore the Fort Robinson History Center to learn about the location’s former life as a 19th-century military post and Native American landmark. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy scenic hiking, mountain biking, horse-drawn wagon rides, jeep tours of the surrounding Butte country, and open-air theatrical performances held at the Post Playhouse during the summer months.