Waco Mammoth National Monument is a National Monument in Texas. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and nearby photo locations.
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Waco Mammoth the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 62° (ENE) at the June solstice and 117° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 299° (WNW) in June to 243° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 82° in summer but only 35° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:29 AM | 8:05 AM | 5:12 PM | 5:48 PM | 246° | 10h 19m |
| February | 7:11 AM | 7:45 AM | 5:43 PM | 6:16 PM | 256° | 11h 05m |
| March | 7:40 AM | 8:12 AM | 7:05 PM | 7:37 PM | 268° | 11h 58m |
| April | 7:01 AM | 7:33 AM | 7:25 PM | 7:58 PM | 282° | 12h 57m |
| May | 6:33 AM | 7:07 AM | 7:45 PM | 8:19 PM | 293° | 13h 46m |
| June | 6:24 AM | 7:00 AM | 8:00 PM | 8:36 PM | 298° | 14h 12m |
| July | 6:35 AM | 7:10 AM | 8:01 PM | 8:36 PM | 296° | 14h 01m |
| August | 6:55 AM | 7:28 AM | 7:40 PM | 8:14 PM | 287° | 13h 19m |
| September | 7:14 AM | 7:46 AM | 7:04 PM | 7:36 PM | 274° | 12h 23m |
| October | 7:32 AM | 8:05 AM | 6:25 PM | 6:58 PM | 260° | 11h 25m |
| November | 6:58 AM | 7:33 AM | 4:56 PM | 5:31 PM | 249° | 10h 33m |
| December | 7:22 AM | 7:59 AM | 4:51 PM | 5:28 PM | 243° | 10h 06m |
Computed for the park's reference point (31.6047, -97.1761); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Waco Mammoth, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.5 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 30° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 6 (bright suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:58 AM – 5:48 AM | 0.8 | 18° |
| March | 4:08 AM – 6:08 AM | 2.0 | 26° |
| April | 2:03 AM – 5:33 AM | 3.5 | 30° |
| May | 12:02 AM – 4:52 AM | 4.8 | 30° |
| June | 10:15 PM – 4:45 AM | 6.5 | 30° |
| July | 10:12 PM – 3:12 AM | 5.0 | 30° |
| August | 9:41 PM – 1:11 AM | 3.5 | 30° |
| September | 8:58 PM – 11:08 PM | 2.2 | 26° |
| October | 8:19 PM – 9:09 PM | 0.8 | 18° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
6 Estimated Bortle 6 — Bright suburban sky. The Milky Way is only visible near the zenith; the sky glows grey-orange in photos.
Weather & best time to visit
The monument enjoys a sunny, mild climate during three seasons of the year. Spring: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Rain is common in April and May. Summer: Temperatures range from 70 F to 95 F (21 C/35 C). Temperatures can exceed 100 F (38 C) in July and August. Lightweight clothing and sunscreen are advisable. Be prepared with plenty of water. Fall: Temperatures range from 45 F to 85 F (7 C/29 C). Winter: Temperatures range from 35 F to 65 F (2 C/18 C) . Snow and ice are rare.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show August as the clearest month (about 38% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (57%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
From I-35 North, take exit 339 and head west on Lake Shore Drive. Turn right on Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument. From I-35 South, take exit 335C and head northwest on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Continue straight onto Steinbeck Bend Drive and travel 1.5 miles to the Monument. The Monument is easily accessible via personal vehicle, bus, or motor home.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Guided Tours
- Hands-On
