Black Hills Museum of Natural History

Black Hills Museum of Natural History has one of the greatest collections of fossils. It is known among paleontologists as one of the best. Visit the museum and pass through many eras of prehistory, viewing fossils of reptiles, mammals, fishes, and trilobites. Exhibits change often but the latest and most popular is Stan, a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil from about 65 million years ago.

After much research, scientists have created an exhibit that replays the life of this giant beast. After hatching from an egg, T. rex most likely stayed close to his parents until he was able to hunt on his own. Injuries to his skeletal structure suggest that he was involved in many battles, possibly for food and habitat. The Black Hills Museum of Natural History is open year round and located on Main Street in Hill City, about 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore. It offers free admission to all visitors.