Kansas Frontier Forts Day Trip

Contact

Dodge City CVB
Phone: (620) 225-8186

8:30 am: Old Fort Dodge & Fort Dodge Cemetery

Five miles east of Dodge City on Highway 400 is the site of Old Fort Dodge, founded to help protect a long section of the Santa Fe Trail. It served as a supply post and base of operation against the warring Indians from 1865 to 1882. It was removed from service in 1882 and now serves as the Kansas State Soldier’s Home. Several original buildings remain, including the commanding officer’s quarters, enlisted men’s barracks, and the post-hospital. All the structures were built of limestone quarried north of Dodge City by civilians and soldiers

9:30 am Depart for Larned

Travel down Highway 56 to Fort Larned, located six miles west of Larned.

10:30 am Tour Fort Larned 

Please allow 90 minutes to tour the fort. Admission to the fort is free. The fort is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

One of the most complete and authentic frontier forts remaining from the Indian Wars period is Fort Larned. Fort Larned was established in 1859 to protect the mail coaches and travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Now a National Historic Site, Fort Larned survives as one of the best and most authentic examples of a frontier military post. Nine original buildings, with many fully restored and furnished rooms, surround the parade ground with its 100-foot flagpole. The National Park Service operates a visitors center with a museum, audio-visual programs, and a bookstore. Living history is available on summer weekends and other times throughout the year.

Contact

Fort Larned National Historic Site
Rural Route 3, Box 69
Larned, KS 67550
Phone: (620) 285-6911

Lunch in Larned - your choice

1:00 pm Depart for Fort Hays

2:00 pm Tour Fort Hays

Please allow 90 minutes to tour the fort. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Children are $3. The fort is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Fort Hays was established in 1867 to protect the construction workers who were building the Union Pacific Railroad. The original blockhouse, guardhouse, and officers' quarters are located here and exhibits interpreting pioneer and military history.

Contact

Email
Phone: (785) 625-6812

Location

1472 Highway 183 Alt
Hays, Kansas

3:30 pm Depart for Dodge City

5:30 pm Arrive at bunkhouse to freshen up