Fort Griffin State Historic Site has much to offer visitors. Starting at the visitor center, heritage travelers can explore interpretive exhibits to get an understanding of the region and why the U.S. military built a fort in 1867 at this location. Outside, visitors tour the fort ruins by foot or golf cart, with the option to schedule a guided tour with the site interpreter or attend one of the regularly scheduled tours. 

Fort Griffin is also home to the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd. Staff can gather the longhorns for visitors to view upon request, and the site offers longhorn programs with the herd manager. 

At the Fort Griffin campgrounds and recreation area, visitors can camp overnight or enjoy the following day use activities: 

  • Explore our nature trails on your own or attend one of our regularly scheduled guided nature hikes. 
  • Fish on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. 
  • Play in the sand in our playground or check out sports equipment from the visitor center and enjoy a day of games, including softball, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, ladder ball, washers, and more. 
  • Gaze at the starry night skies or join us for our star parties, the Stars & Skies of Texas. 
  • Enjoy bird watching and other local wildlife. 
  • Rent our large smoker/cooker and cook out. 

We recommend allowing a full day for a comprehensive tour of the site. For tours of the historic fort grounds only, two hours is suggested. Both Mill Creek Nature Trail and Wohaw Nature Trail take approximately two hours to complete. The site is almost entirely outside and requires extensive walking on paved, gravel, and natural dirt surfaces; therefore, we suggest dressing appropriately. A golf cart is available for touring the historic fort grounds and traveling to the overlook; however, it cannot be taken across Hwy 283 to the campgrounds. 

Visitor parking is available on site at the visitor center and campgrounds, and overnight parking is available for people accessing the river from Fort Griffin. 

Groups & Tours 

Guided fort tours for individuals and groups can be scheduled for any day of the week during normal operating hours. Please submit a tour reservation form a minimum of one week in advance to schedule your tour time. 

Longhorn presentations are available to learn about the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd, the breed that helped create the mythical Texas cowboy. Presentations can be scheduled for any day of the week during normal operating hours. Contact the longhorn herd manager at will.cradduck@thc.texas.gov or 325-762-2356 a minimum of one week in advance to set up a presentation time. 

Gift Shop 

A gift shop is located inside the visitor center. Items available for purchase include books, t-shirts, coffee mugs, postcards, stuffed animals, and a variety of period toys such as marbles, jacks, and doll kits. 

Accessibility 

The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, and most campsites are on hard ground with wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and fire rings. The campground also has ADA-approved restrooms and showers. A golf cart is available for touring the fort grounds, which are gravel and not ADA-approved for wheelchairs. Nature trails in the campgrounds are not accessible by wheelchairs. 

Facilities 

Restrooms are available in the visitor center, and restrooms with showers are provided at the campground. Drinks and snack items are available in the gift shop. We encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch and stay all day. Picnic tables are provided at the visitor center and campground for day use. 

We’re always looking for ways to improve the visitor experience and are open to suggestions or ideas for future programming and activities offered at the site. If you are a part of an organization such as a school group, historical society, garden club, scouts, etc., and would like us to bring a program to your location, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Nearby Attractions 

While you're in the area, visit these nearby sites: 

Albany 

Abilene 

Graham 

For additional travel and history information, see the following resources: