Fort Kearny State Historical P
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Kearny State Historical Park is located in the state of Nebraska, not South Dakota.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park was established to preserve the history of Fort Kearny, which was built in the mid-1800s to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail. Visitors to the park can see the reconstructed fort, including the blacksmith shop, powder magazine, and officers' quarters. There are also hiking and biking trails, fishing and boating opportunities, and a museum with exhibits on the history of the fort and the Oregon Trail. Interesting facts about the area include that Fort Kearny was named after Stephen Kearny, a U.S. Army general who was involved in several wars and conflicts during the mid-1800s, and that the fort served as a stopover point for thousands of pioneers on their way to the West Coast. The best time of year to visit the park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park offers a variety of outdoor activities.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Toadstool Geological Park and Campground
|
||
Toadstool
|
||
Soldier Creek
|