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Location

7066 FM 864  
Fort McKavett, TX 76841 
325-396-2358 
Contact us
See map

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Hours

Open Daily
8 a.m.–5 p.m. 

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Tickets

Adult $5
Senior/Veteran/Teacher/First Responder $3
Child (6-17) $2
Child (5 and under) Free
Family (2 adults & 1 child) $8, each additional child $1

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Programs

School Tours 
Group Tours 
Living History
Site Use Reservations

Standing atop a windswept remote hill, the remains of a 150-year-old West Texas fort beckon curious visitors to the site that is now considered one of the best preserved and most intact examples of a Texas Indian Wars (1850–1875) military post. Take in the spectacular Hill Country vistas and experience the history of early West Texas life through the real stories of the infantrymen, Buffalo Soldiers, women, and children who lived at what Gen. William T. Sherman once described as "the prettiest post in Texas." Restored structures include the officers’ quarters, barracks, hospital, school house, dead house, sink, and post headquarters. In addition, there are ruins of several buildings, most notably the commanding officer’s quarters, which burned in 1941, and the barracks along the north side of the parade ground, which once was the longest building west of the Mississippi River.

Visitors being photographed by a site educator

Plan Your Visit

At Fort McKavett State Historic Site, visitors travel into the past viewing restored structures of a military fort that was established in 1852.

Buffalo Soldiers during a living history event

Fort McKavett History

In March 1852, the 8th U.S. Infantry established Fort McKavett to protect West Texas settlers and serve as a rest stop for California-bound immigrants. 

Ruins of a stone fortress at night under the stars

Fort McKavett Site Use Reservations

Request after-hours access, day use of the facility, or overnight camping at Fort McKavett.

Screenshot of an virtual interactive tour welcome image for Fort McKavett

Take a Virtual Tour

Explore the site from anywhere with our interactive virtual tour.

Events at Fort McKavett

Milky Way and stars over building standing in ruins

Milky Way Photography Class

Saturday 8 p.m. - 11:59 p.m.

Have you ever seen the Milky Way rise over Fort McKavett? Have you ever wanted to capture the celestial beauty of our galaxy, but not felt confident behind the lens? Would you like to learn more about nighttime photography and get some beautiful images of the Stars over Texas? Then join us for our Milky Way Photography Class!

Archeologist crouched down with a tool scraping at earth

Digging up the Past: Archeology at Fort McKavett

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Have you ever been a little curious how items end up in a museum, where they came from, or how they were found?

Living Historian in period clothing sitting on a bench demonstrating historic drafting methods

Victorian Science Fair

Wednesday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

See where science and math cross paths with history at our Victorian Science Fair!

Fort McKavett in the Blog

Classical revival building with red classic car driving in front

Mason Rebuilding

Read about the Hill Country town that's increasingly drawing visitors with its restored courthouse.

Picture of a man looking at a metal plaque

Explore the THC's Frontier Forts

Discover the forts and other attractions awaiting visitors out on West Texas.