Visiting Ashfall / Related Links / Unveiling
Visiting Ashfall
Today, a National Natural Landmark and historic park can be found on the site of this ancient burial ground. Located in northern Antelope County, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is a joint project of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln State Museum.
Ashfall is situated on top of 360 acres of rugged rangeland in the scenic Verdigre Creek Valley. There are interpretive displays and a fossil-preparation laboratory, as well as the Rhino Barn which houses the three-dimensional fossils found in the watering hole. Visitors to the park are invited to watch paleontologists at work excavating new fossils in the Rhino Barn and ask them questions about their work.
In addition to the fossils, nature trails allow visitors to interpret the geology, flora and fauna of Nebraska. Picnicking is permitted at the park and campers can use the nearby Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area near Royal, Nebraska.
The park is open to the public May 1st through the second weekend in October each year. For more information on visiting the park, including daily hours and entrance fees, call (402) 893-2000.
Related Links
Unveiling Event
U-Haul "Ventures" into Teleoceras Territory
U-Haul has brought the extinct teleoceras back to life. This striking creature can now be seen on the sides of more than 2,200 U-Haul moving vans traveling across the ancient animal’s native Nebraska habitat and throughout North America.
On June 5, 2008, the "Venture Across America" SuperGraphics campaign continued the long-standing tradition of honoring states and provinces when the latest SuperGraphic honoring the state of Nebraska was unveiled at Ashfall Fossil Beds in Royal, Nebraska. This graphic, which features a striking rendition of what the ancient teleoceras was believed to have looked like, surprised and amazed everyone in attendance.
The U-Haul Media and Public Relations Department and the U-Haul Company of Nebraska (Co. 730) teamed up with the University of Nebraska to unveil the newest SuperGraphic during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Hubbard Rhino Barn at Ashfall Fossil Beds. Ashfall Park is a joint project of the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Twelve million years ago, a supervolcano erupted in what is now modern-day Idaho, creating an enormous ash cloud that traveled all the way to what is now Royal, Nebraska. This Ashfall deposit preserved the remains of the ancient teleoceras, as well as the ancestors of today’s horses camels and deer, giving us an ecological "snapshot" from this astounding period of time. It contains skeletons of extinct rhinos, camels and horses lying in the volcanic ash that killed them. U-Haul chose the Ashfall Fossil Beds to represent the state of Nebraska because Ashfall is the only known site in the world where entire three-dimensional skeletons of large prehistoric animals are preserved.
Marketing Company President (MCP) Mike Hale spoke to a crowd of more than 100 spectators during which time he presented plaques to individuals involved with the development of the SuperGraphic and the Ashfall Fossil Beds, including Dr. Mike Voorhies, the paleontologist who discovered Ashfall more than 30 years ago. After unveiling the official truck, dignitaries were given the opportunity to sign the SuperGraphic.