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

two soldiers standing next to St Nick with wreath around springfield rifles standing up

Victorian Christmas Fair at Fort McKavett

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

Join the soldiers, officers, ladies, and children of Fort McKavett as they explore the holiday season on the Texas frontier in 1876!

Dutch Ovens in a line over campfires

Feeding the Frontier Army: Cooking Cornbread

Saturday 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

In the Texas, cornbread has always been a staple of the diet. But do you know the history of cornbread and the crucial role it played on the Texas Frontier? Come join us as we travel back in time to learn about the cooking process, the ingredients, the tools, and the role cornbread played on the Texas Frontier while we cook around the campfire in the Dutch oven.

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.