Historical Fort Kearny State Park

In its 23 years as a military post, Fort Kearny came to symbolize westward expansion and development. It was the first fort built to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail. It was the headquarters of military and civil government, an important stage station, a home station of the Pony Express, and outfitting depot for numerous Indian campaigns, and the home of the famed Pawnee Scouts under the leadership of Frank and Luther North.

In 1871, Fort Kearny was discontinued as a military post. After abandonment the buildings were torn down and the fort reservations opened for homesteading. The earthworks of the fortifications and the large cottonwoods around the parade grounds were all that remained. In 1929 the State of Nebraska accepted title to the land and designated it a state park in 1960.

Archeological exploration to located building sites and other features on the area was carried out by the Nebraska State Historical Society on a contract from the Game and Parks Commission. The park has been developed to give the visitor an insight into the conditions and events contemporary with the settlement of the American West. You are invited to visit the exhibits in the interpretive center and in the blacksmith-carpenter shop and to follow the walkways to the stockade and around the parade ground where additional information is provided.

Camping is available at nearby Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. Campers will find south-central Nebraska's Fort Kearny State Recreation Area much to their liking. The attractive 152-acre area is located 3/4 mile east and 1 mile north of Fort Kearny State Historical Park.

Hours: Daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Address: 2 miles south of Kearney on Highway 44 and 4 miles east on Link 50A
Phone: 308-865-5305
Our Email: Fort.Kearny@ngpc.ne.gov
Our Website:www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=97

Come visit us in Kearney, Nebraska

Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food

Area Highways

80 10 30

Kearney Area Events

• September 19th | Annual Harvest Celebration
  Gibbon, Nebraska
• August 28th | Labor Day Living History Weekend
  Kearney, Nebraska
• October 30th | Buffalo County Antique Market
  Kearney, Nebraska
• November 10th | Gateway Farm Expo
  Kearney, Nebraska
• October 23rd | Fall Festival of Crafts Show
  Kearney, Nebraska
• November 25th | Old Fashioned Christmas Walk
  Kearney, Nebraska
• November 6th | Holiday Splendor Craft Show
  Kearney, Nebraska
• November 6th | Mid's Product Premiere Tradeshow
  Kearney, Nebraska
• October 9th | Dry River Race
  Ravenna, Nebraska
• November 13th | Hometown Holiday Craft Fair
  Ravenna, Nebraska

Kearney Area Attractions

• Ravenna Golf Club - (Ravenna, Nebraska)
• Great Platte River Road Archway Monument - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• Cabela's - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• Fort Kearny State Recreation Area - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• Gibbon Heritage Museum - (Gibbon, Nebraska)
• Kearney Junior High School - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• Sandhill Crane Migration - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• Children's Museum - (Kearney, Nebraska)
• John Pesek Sculpture - (Ravenna, Nebraska)
• Historic Frank House - (Kearney, Nebraska)

Kearney Hotel Deals

Nebraska Recreation

• Olive Creek Lake
• Holmes Lake
• Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
• Scotts Bluff National Monument
• Bluestem Lake
• Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
• Stagecoach Lake
• Pine Ridge National Recreation Area
• Pawnee Lake
• Fort Niobrara Wilderness
• Standing Bear Lake
• Box Butte Reservoir
• Arcadia Diversion Dam
• Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
• Conestoga Lake