The Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center sits over one of the most important paleo-archaeological finds in North America — a bonebed of Bison antiquus, an extinct bison larger than the ones alive today, found in 1954 on the Oglala National Grassland north of Crawford. A building was put up over the excavation so visitors can walk around the bones where they lie, and what killed the herd is still argued over. The U.S. Forest Service runs it through the Pine Ridge Ranger District. In 2026 it is open Fridays from 9am to 4pm Mountain Time, from 29 May through Labor Day weekend, and day use is $5 an adult. The ranger district office at 125 N Main Street in Chadron, on 308-432-0300, has current information before you make the drive.