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Location
Visitor tip
When fossil hunting on the grounds, remember that only loose fossils on the surface can be collected—tools like rock hammers, picks, or chisels are not permitted, so come empty-handed and let volunteers help guide you to the best spots
Visitor tip
Young children (ages 4-10) particularly enjoy the dinosaur play corner and interactive fossil digging experience; allow extra time if visiting with multiple kids as exhibits engage various age groups differently
Visitor tip
The museum features exclusive discoveries from Riverbluff Cave that are not accessible to the public, making these exhibits unique highlights worth prioritizing during your visit
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Admission
- Free
- Highlights
- Fossil hunting, hiking trails, triceratops specimen, ice age fossils
- Location
- Ozarks
What visitors say
Wonderful place with free dinosaur and ice age wonders from free! You can also go dig for fossils from free as well! Staff were very explanatory on all the exhibits and gave us an absolutely wonderful experience and I recommend everyone…
This place is worth your time. I can’t wait to go back to visit again. It’s free admission, but donations are appreciated. They have a little dinosaur play corner for toddlers. My daughter liked it so well she didn’t want to let me move…
I had never heard of this place until we were looking for things to do with our kiddos before school starts. It was so cool and had lots of nifty things to look at. All three kids 10, 8, 4 loved it. Pretty easy to get to. Accessible but…
From 658 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- Visitors can participate in fossil hunting on institute grounds with exposed boulders and are allowed to collect loose fossils to take home, offering a hands-on paleontological experience
- The museum features Ice Age fossils and artifacts from Riverbluff Cave, which is currently not open to the public, making the institute the primary way to access these discoveries
- The museum offers completely free admission with optional donations, making it accessible to all ages and families
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