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Location

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

Events at Fort McKavett

blueprint of a springfield rifle

The Bullet Revolution: Military Arms in Transition, 1852-1883

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Explore a pivotal era of transformation in military history as firearms and ammunition evolved from smoothbore muskets to more efficient, deadly, and technologically advanced weaponry. This program offers an overview of the innovations, challenges, and impacts that reshaped tactics and warfare in the mid-19th century.

men carrying telegraph wire in battle

Shrinking the Nation: Military Telegraphy at Fort McKavett

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Civil War demonstrated the key role that telegraphy could play in military operations. In 1875, Fort McKavett was connected to the rest of the nation by the installation of a telegraph line and station. Join us as we demonstrate and discuss the use of this technology at Fort McKavett and try your hand at sending your own telegraph message

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.