The best campsites in Waco Mammoth National Monument, TX

This paleontological site and museum is a must-see while in Waco. It's one of the newest additions to the National Park system thanks to President Obama's 2015 declaration. This monument rests within 100 acres of wooded parkland along the Bosque River. Scientists believe that between 65,000 and 72,000 years ago the river's rapidly rising floodwaters drowned a nursery herd of at least 19 mammoths.

Remains of a camel indicate that it, too, was trapped by this same flood. Years later, an unidentified animal died and was buried next to the tooth of a juvenile saber-toothed cat. Eventually, another flood trapped and killed a bull, juvenile, and four female mammoths. You can view the fossils of these 24 Columbian mammoths and other mammals from the Pleistocene Epoch. There's also a dwarf antelope, American alligator, and a giant tortoise.

Although some of the remains are housed at Baylor University, most of the fossil specimens remain in their original position within the bone bed. The Dig Shelter is an easy 300-yard walk from the monument's Welcome Center. Following a short film in the amphitheater, a Ranger-led guided walking tour takes you way, way back in time inside the climate-controlled dig site. The tour is about an hour long and costs a small fee. You can also just poke around yourself, but the tour guides make this whole Ice Age experience even cooler than it already is.

Explore camping on public campgrounds along the way or on private land through Hipcamp.