Children's Museums
Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County
📍 19450 Ave 21 1/2, Chowchilla, CA 93610🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM |
About Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County
Family-friendly fossil museum & dig site. Family-friendly museum & dig site showcasing fossils from the middle Pleistocene period. The museum features 15,000 fossils from the middle Pleistocene period, primarily from the Fairmead landfill excavation, including specimens of Mammoth, Smilodon, Dire Wolf, Sloth, Camel, and Horse. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 431 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Location
- Madera County
- Highlights
- 15,000 Middle-Pleistocene fossils including Mammoth, Smilodon, Dire Wolf
- Time Period
- 780,000 years ago
- Notable Feature
- One of largest middle-Pleistocene fossil excavations in North America
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features 15,000 fossils from the middle Pleistocene period, primarily from the Fairmead landfill excavation, including specimens of Mammoth, Smilodon, Dire Wolf, Sloth, Camel, and Horse
- Visitors can participate in hands-on fossil digging experiences where they can excavate up to 19 real fossils from a mock pit, taking approximately one hour to complete
- The museum is restoring Mammoth Orange, a historic 1950s roadside landmark, as part of a special project to convert it into a concession stand
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan for 2-3 hours to fully experience the center. Start with the introductory video for context, explore the fossil displays with the provided self-guided booklet, visit the outdoor pond habitat with labeled plants, and consider the optional fossil digging activity (about 1 hour for 19 fossils).
- Purchase tickets through Groupon for significantly cheaper admission compared to regular pricing, making it an affordable outing for families.
- Take advantage of the interactive fossil digging experience in the outdoor mock fossil pit for hands-on learning. This paid add-on activity is popular with kids and provides a more memorable, immersive educational experience beyond viewing displays.
- Use the self-guided tour booklet actively while exploring to maximize learning about the 15,000 fossils from the Fairmead landfill excavation, including Mammoth, Smilodon, Dire Wolf, and other Ice Age specimens. The displays cover both fossils and the history of local Native tribes.
- Don't skip the outdoor pond habitat area—it's well-maintained, features labeled local plants and trees, and provides a nice break from indoor exhibits while reinforcing learning about the region's natural history.
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