Natural history & family museum

Sternberg Museum of Natural History

About 16.7 road mi

A year-round Fort Hays State University natural-history museum with Kansas fossils, the Fish-within-a-fish, a Cretaceous diorama, live rattlesnakes, and roughly three million collection specimens.

The place

About Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Sternberg Museum of Natural History is the strongest large family-museum extension to an Ellis railroad day. Located near Interstate 70 in Hays, it brings western Kansas geology and paleontology into focus through fossils, reconstructed environments, live animals, earth science, and rotating exhibitions.

The permanent galleries include the famous Fish-within-a-fish, both Kansas state fossils, a walk-through Late Cretaceous diorama, the Ice Age Hall, Earth Science Hall, and a live-rattlesnake exhibit. The research collection spans about three million specimens across paleontology, geology, botany, zoology, and related disciplines.

Unlike the historic Ellis Railroad Museum building, Sternberg publishes a comprehensive accessibility program: accessible entrances and parking, automatic main doors, elevators, courtesy wheelchairs, and accessible galleries and facilities. It is open year-round except for five published holiday closures, so it can also serve travelers outside the Ellis museum’s April–October season.

What stands out

Fish-within-a-fish

See the exceptionally preserved 1952 fossil that records one Cretaceous fish inside another.

Western Interior Seaway

Kansas marine fossils and a walk-through diorama reconstruct the region when it lay beneath an inland sea.

Live and fossil diversity

Move from rattlesnakes and modern biological collections to Ice Age mammals, minerals, meteorites, and fossil fish.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in an Ellis Railroad Museum trip

Sternberg is about 16.7 road miles east of Ellis Railroad Museum, near I-70 in Hays. Allow roughly 20–25 minutes each way plus at least two hours inside; do not squeeze it between arriving at Ellis and a fixed 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. train departure.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • March–September hoursThe museum currently lists Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday, 1–6 p.m.
  • October–February hoursThe current winter schedule is Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 1–6 p.m.; Monday closed.
  • Annual closuresThe museum says it closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day; hours remain subject to change.
  • AdmissionCurrent posted admission is $12 for adults 13–59, $11 for seniors 60+, $8 for youth 4–12, and $7 for FHSU students with valid ID.
  • Time to allowAllow at least two hours; families spending time in the diorama, fossil galleries, live-animal exhibits, and rotating exhibition may use half a day.
  • AccessibilityAll entrances, galleries, and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Automatic main doors, accessible parking, elevators, courtesy wheelchairs, and a passenger drop-off area are available.
  • ParkingAccessible spaces are on the west and south sides; bus and RV parking is on the west side. The passenger drop-off is at the main entrance.
  • Quieter timesThe accessibility page recommends Tuesday–Friday before 1 p.m. and Sundays for a typically quieter visit.
  • PhotographyVisitor photography is for personal, noncommercial use. Commercial media or images primarily of collection objects require advance written arrangements.
  • Live animalsThe museum displays live rattlesnakes. Adults should supervise children and follow all exhibit barriers and staff instructions.

Stay close to the Ellis train

Add Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home

Connect Ellis railroad work with the early life and career of Walter P. Chrysler.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

How far is Sternberg Museum from Ellis Railroad Museum?

The drive is about 16.7 road miles and usually takes roughly 20–25 minutes each way.

Is Sternberg open year-round?

Yes, except for five listed holiday closures. The weekly schedule changes between March–September and October–February.

How much is admission?

The current posted rates are $12 for adults 13–59, $11 for seniors 60+, $8 for youth 4–12, and $7 for FHSU students with valid ID.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The museum states that entrances, galleries, and facilities are accessible and lists automatic doors, elevators, courtesy wheelchairs, accessible parking, and a passenger drop-off.

How much time should I allow?

Plan at least two hours. Families who explore the full fossil, diorama, live-animal, Ice Age, and earth-science program may spend half a day.

Can I take photographs?

Personal noncommercial photography is generally allowed. Commercial use or media focused primarily on collection objects requires advance written permission.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-14. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.