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All the United States Nebraska Harrison Toadstool Geologic Park

Toadstool Geologic Park

Other-worldly rock formations and ancient fossils abound in this unique stretch of Nebraska badlands.

Harrison, Nebraska

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scaredanuthin
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Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
Toadstool Geologic Park   Kevin Saff
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About

In the midst of the Oglala National Grasslands lies a section of sparse desert where the effects of water and wind over millions of years have carved the dusty earth into dramatic, fantastical shapes. Though the terrain is littered with a wide variety of formations, from upended chunks of broken sandstone to deeply eroded hills of ancient volcanic ash, it is the mushroom-shaped hoodoos that gave the place its name.

Toadstool Geologic Park sits in the bed of a now-vanished river that flowed roughly 45 million years ago. The thick layer of sandstone built up over time in the river's channel incorporated layers of volcanic that blew in from geologically active regions to the west, creating the streaks of red and green that can be seen today. The wet, subtropical environment attracted many varieties of ancient wildlife whose remains turned to fossils in the ever-compacting sediment. The area eventually dried up around 26 million years ago, starting the erosion process that created the alien contours of the present-day landscape.

Toadstool Geologic Park features a one-mile-long interpretive loop trail (an informative site map is available at the entrance). Visitors can scramble (gently) over spectacular cliffs and weather-blasted geological formations, and see the fossilized remnants of ancient horses, saber-toothed cats, brontotheres, and more.

The park also serves as a starting point for a three-mile long trail to the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill site.

Related Tags

Geology Geological Oddities Parks

Know Before You Go

Directions are available on the official website.

Toadstool is amazing while it's raining and you can see the tiny rivers running down. The long gravel road can be treacherous when wet, though. The colors glow best shortly after dawn and before dusk. Bring your own water.

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scaredanuthin

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RHyzer, Mr Bunsen, ski queen, breaingram...

  • RHyzer
  • Mr Bunsen
  • ski queen
  • breaingram
  • SledzOmatic

Published

August 18, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.fossilfreeway.net/toadstool.php
  • http://www.westnebraska.com/2012/Toadstool-Geologic-Park-Oglala-National-Grassland/
  • http://www.nebraskatravels.com/toadstool-geologic-park.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toadstool_Geologic_Park
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=10616
Toadstool Geologic Park
Toadstool Rd
Oglala National Grassland
Harrison, Nebraska
United States
42.857667, -103.583916
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Nearby Places

Hudson-Meng Bison Kill

Harrison, Nebraska

miles away

Ardmore Ghost Town

Ardmore, South Dakota

miles away

Fort Robinson State Park

Harrison, Nebraska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Harrison

Harrison

Nebraska

Places 4

Nearby Places

Hudson-Meng Bison Kill

Harrison, Nebraska

miles away

Ardmore Ghost Town

Ardmore, South Dakota

miles away

Fort Robinson State Park

Harrison, Nebraska

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Harrison

Harrison

Nebraska

Places 4

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