Think like a paleontologist and learn about the family trees of elephants and whales from fossil-based activities developed with scientists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Visitors will analyze fossil evidence to reconstruct an ancient landscape, create a family tree of modern and extinct elephants and discover if the most recent common ancestors of whales and deer walked on land or lived in the water.

Play the VR experience, “Deep Time Detectives,” and work with a partner to discover the closest modern relative of a mystery fossil. Plus, enjoy special screenings of a 20-minute excerpt from the new PBS and Smithsonian Channel film, “When Whales Walked: Journeys in Deep Time.” Screenings will run every half hour starting at 12:30pm, with last screening at 3:30pm.

Entrance fee AND valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit required.
Nebraska Park Entry Permits are available in the Park’s Visitor Center or you may purchase one ahead of time at https://go.unl.edu/neparkpermit.