The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs is an active paleontological dig site, which boasts the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world. Current mammoth count is 61, with 58 Columbian and three woolly mammoths. Mammoths and other megafauna got trapped in a sinkhole and drown about 26,000 years ago. Their bones were buried and preserved.Paleontology is the study of pre-existing life based on fossils. A fossil could be an actual portion of the animal, such as bones, teeth, or shells, or maybe replaced by minerals such as silica, iron and manganese as in petrified wood. A fossil may also be a track or a trail, an imprint or a cast, anything that indicates preexisting life forms.

General Admission
Children 3 & Under – Free
Ages 4-12 – $7.37 + Tax
Active & Retired Military – $7.37 + Tax
Ages 13 to 59 – $10.14 + Tax
Ages 60 and Over – 8.29 + Tax

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These sculptures were built from scrap metal, wire and reinforcement bars by sculptor Ricardo Breceda. He created all the sculptures, including life size prehistoric creatures, elephants, camels, horses, dragon … The sculptures look like a natural part of the landscape, and from a distance appear very real. This unusual tourist attraction is a desert creature park open to anyone brave enough to face the desert and the unbearable heat that comes with it.

credit: slimdandy

credit: slimdandy

credit: slimdandy

credit: slimdandy

credit: Neeta Lind

credit: Neeta Lind

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credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit

credit: Sam Howzit