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.

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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 

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. 

Events at Fort McKavett

shearing sheep in warehouse

Shearing Showdown: Mohair and Wool

Saturday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This program will show the audience the differences in fibers of mohair and wool, the history of the industry, the historical techniques used to shear and how the fibers are graded for market. We will have historians from the industry and ranchers that raise these animals talking everything mohair and wool.

Victorian Era women watching a game

Women In the West: Army Wives, Laundresses

Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Women performed many different roles on the Texas frontier including those of wives, mothers, and laundresses. Join us this April for our program, "Women in the West: Army Wives, Laundresses, and Dependents on the Texas Frontier" to learn more about these roles and the challenges they faced in Texas.

A color image of a ruined two-story stone building at night with light painting inside and a view of the Milky Way Galaxy and many stars

Milky Way Photography Class

Saturday 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Join photographer Kirk Brandau to learn how to capture the Milky Way Galaxy at one of the most naturally dark places in Texas!

Fort McKavett in the Blog

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.