La Brea Tar Pits
- Admission
- Outdoor park and tar pits are free; Museum admission is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors/students, $7 for children (3-12), and free for L.A. County residents from 3-5 PM daily.
- Hours
- Daily 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day)
- Duration
- 2-3 hours
- Parking
- Paid parking is available in the museum lot at Curson Ave and 6th St. Limited metered street parking is also available nearby.
- Access
- The museum, outdoor pathways, and observation pits are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis.
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, this active paleontological site features bubbling asphalt pits that have trapped prehistoric creatures for millennia. It is the world's only active urban Ice Age excavation site, where you can watch scientists unearth real mammoth and saber-toothed cat fossils.
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For tens of thousands of years, sticky asphalt has seeped from the earth in what is now Hancock Park, creating a natural trap for Ice Age plants and animals. Today, the La Brea Tar Pits and the accompanying George C. Page Museum offer an incredible window into the Pleistocene epoch, showcasing an unparalleled collection of fossils ranging from dire wolves to giant ground sloths.
Visitors can stroll around the active, bubbling tar pits outside for free, watching paleontologists at work at Project 23, an active excavation site. Inside the museum, you will find beautifully preserved skeletons, interactive exhibits, and the glass-walled Fossil Lab, where researchers meticulously clean and catalog newly discovered bones.
What makes this site truly unique is its location in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It provides a stark, fascinating contrast between ancient prehistory and modern urban life, making it a must-visit destination for science enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.
Ratings
museum◆ Visitor Tips
- ◆ Walk the outdoor park first to see the bubbling Lake Pit and active excavation sites for free.
- ◆ Visit the Fossil Lab inside the museum to see paleontologists actively cleaning bones.
- ◆ Combine your trip with a visit to the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
- ◆ Check the daily schedule for the 'Ice Age Encounters' show featuring a life-sized saber-toothed cat puppet.
Heads Up
- ◆ Watch your step on the grassy areas; small, active asphalt seeps can pop up unexpectedly and ruin shoes.
- ◆ The smell of sulfur and asphalt can be strong, especially on hot days.
Common questions
Can you see the La Brea Tar Pits for free?
Yes, walking around the outdoor park to view the active tar pits, including the large Lake Pit, is completely free. Tickets are only required to enter the indoor George C. Page Museum where the excavated fossils are displayed.
Does it smell like tar at the park?
Yes, there is a distinct, noticeable smell of asphalt and petroleum throughout the park, especially near the large bubbling Lake Pit. The smell is typically stronger on hot, sunny days.
Are dogs allowed at the La Brea Tar Pits?
Leashed dogs are allowed in the outdoor grassy areas of Hancock Park where the pits are located. However, only trained service animals are permitted inside the museum building.
Can you watch paleontologists actively working on fossils?
Yes, visitors can watch paleontologists clean and prepare fossils behind glass at the Fossil Lab inside the museum. During certain times of the year, you can also observe active excavations at the outdoor pits, such as Project 23.