World Fossil Finder Museum — Attraction in Hot Springs

Wow!!! What a fun Fossil museum, we had an amazing time there, seeing some rare and unique fossils and some other hidden Gems. Debby Sue the Tylosaurus was so impressive ! We have seen several skeletons around the US but Debby Sue is the Pin Up Tylosaurus hands down. You get very close to all the fossils on display here at the World Fossil Museum. The place might look small , but you get more than your moneys worth here. The gentleman Darren (curator/Cashier) that greeted us the other day was amazing and so kind and friendly, and we had the bonus of meeting Frank Garcia the brilliant down to Earth Paleontologist that found and prepped these amazing specimens. Frank was so knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to meet him, great stories! He even showed us the Roswell Chest (what was inside is highly classified lol !!). The gift shop was a decent size and had some hard to find fossils there for a great price (no huge markup ) We bought several for under $10 dollars. We also bought to sweet looking shirts that were a great price too. We have been wanting to check this museum out for the past several years and it was so worth the wait. Highly recommend this museum, it is a diamond in the rough! Great staff and a great collection of fossils. Will definitely be back . If Frank is there make sure you hear his stories. Darren is great with his knowledge of the specimens there too! It’s worth the fee! Thank you Darren and Frank for the great stories. Check out the Roman coins and Egyptian artifacts in the new display case… lol not fossils but...

TL:DR - a diverse collection of fossil specimens spanning multiple epochs. Good gift shop with fossils to buy from nearby locations & from around the world. Friendly & insightful staff!

This museum was our last stop on our way home. We came up to South Dakota with a list of museums & fossil shops in mind. We almost skipped this one. That would have been a BIG MISTAKE. The price to get in was a little steep at $21 for two adults, but we knew it was quite new & probably not as backed or notorious as more well known museums. This museum might not seem like much, but it brags a very impressive collection of authentic & rare fossils. The space while small uses every inch superbly. During our visit, we had the chance to speak with two of the gentleman who run it. They were very eager to dive into the history & importance of their displays. Speaking of which, spoilers ahead! This museum boasts the largest Tylosaurus on display, a full mastodon skeleton & the skull of an early ancestor of the American Giraffe. All of which they were ecstatically proud of. While it may seem small, it packs a punch that should make it just as desirable as any of the bigger museums in the area. Don't sleep on this one. If today's viewing was anything to tell, this shop would like to find a bigger place to house its displays. I'm eager to see its growth in the...

The Fossil Finder Museum has an incredible collection—truly a hidden gem for fossil enthusiasts! There are so many fascinating specimens to explore, and it’s clear a lot of care has gone into curating the displays. One of the standout parts of our visit was interacting with the volunteer staff. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to share insights about the fossils. His passion for paleontology really enhanced the experience, especially for the kids.

Unfortunately, the overall visit was overshadowed by the behavior of the owner. He was extremely loud and constantly pushing his unsolicited personal views on anyone within earshot—which, given the size of the space, meant everyone. At one point, he even played a song titled "Biden Touches Kids" at full volume. This was not only wildly inappropriate but deeply uncomfortable, especially considering the museum promotes itself as kid-friendly with offers like “free fossils for kids.”

It’s disappointing that such a unique and educational experience was tainted by unprofessional and disturbing behavior. With a more respectful and inclusive atmosphere, this place could...