fort kearny state historical park

It is not the fort you think it is - the one you are looking for is Fort PHIL Kernry in Wyoming. This is a iinteresting stop but not the one o n the Oregon Trail

Loved the dumping area! It really opened my eyes because I don't think the early pioneers had the proper dumping areas that we take for granted today.

Great camping, picnic place, and swimming, and nature hike area. If you walk far enough you can go down to the Platte river and walk across the mile bridge and under an old still-in-use train bridge. (that wasn't something I think we were suppose to do but we walked the river far enough and climbed the rafters of the bridge and looked up as the train went over us. :D ) The river is wild and has quick sand so unless you know the river don't wade in too far...but this place is a nature enthusiast's haven. Also there is an original fort, and sod house and museum to go through.

Compared with other Oregon Trail and pony express landmarks (for example, Rock Creek pony express station) Fort Kearney is particularly disappointing. The only reconstructed building is a blacksmith shop. The museum is small, a bit disjointed, and doesn't begin to compare with others I seen while following the Oregon Trail from Independence Missouri to Portland Oregon. If you are pressed for time, I recommend skipping it. However if you like history, or museums, you must, I repeat MUST spend some time in Minden Nebraska just 20 minutes south of here at the Pioneer Village Museum -- it is at once breathtaking and mind-boggling.

The facility seems to have been neglected since the 1960s. The buildings are in fine shape, but the interpretation is dated and in need of updating. The staff was pleasant, when you could find them. They seem to be short staff. It is worth stopping if you are near but it pales in comparison to Fort Hartsuff which is not too far away and run by the same state agency.

The park was pretty quiet with not much traffic. It was interesting if you like historical sites. We try to visit places like this along the way when we have the time. They have a video worth watching before you tour the grounds which will only take you about 30 minutes to walk and take any pictures you might want to take.

Everyone that volunteers here is very knowledgeable, and is quite happy to help you, if you ask. The museum is dated as are many of the outdoor exhibits, but if you have small children that want to run and you need a place to stop and take a break, it's nice to have the open space. The recreations that they do are just awesome. It is just great to go to on Memorial Day!The campground is wonderful. It's clean, spread out, and has lots of options for fishing, walking, swimming, or just relaxing. Everything is handicap accessible and has paved roadways, and wide sidewalks. I give the museum an 8 and the campground a 10!

We stayed maybe 30 minutes total. The little museum is small, disjointed and I agree, the references to "Red Men" are racist. The museum and the staff did little to help us understand why the Fort was important. I see reading reviews now that there is a movie we could have seen? No staff mentioned this. We were given a confusing map and advised to walk around to see the recreated fort which left us unimpressed. We went on a weekday so maybe this is why the staff members at the museum were not very helpful and there were no reenactors, enthusiastic volunteers or explanations. Then we went over to the campground which looks really pleasant and there are some nice small lakes there, including at least one with an inviting swimming beach. We walked a path to the Platte River. Not too exciting.One good thing--much handicap accessibility.

I am sorry to have to give a low rating to a state park, but this is the best rating I could give. To explain, there are two sections to the park, separated by a couple of miles. There is the campground, which I would give a rating of good or very good. It has electrical hookup sites and no hookup sites. It is fairly nicely laid out, but there is not a lot of vegetation for privacy. The historical park is another matter. The park film is dated and is shown on a monitor that has been burned in by showing the same image too long. Even the audio is poor, but the main issue is that it is boring. The "museum" is very dated. Historical exhibits are interspersed with information about viewing sand hill cranes? The exhibits are haphazard in the information given and the way it is given. This "museum" is desperately in need of an update. The main problem, however, is that it gives only the "white person" perspective without giving the native American side. It refers to the Native Americans as "Red People." the outside exhibits are almost impossible to read because of water incursions. I am afraid I cannot recommend this park. It really needs some help.

This was a great historical park to learn about the Westward Migration. Three recreated buildings along with a small museum and excellent film on the history of Fort Kearny. Had a great time!

There is a lot of interesting information here. I liked the small museum, which took quite a while for us to work our way through. We were there on a day when there were "recreators" there, dressed in period clothing. It was a nice place for our family to spend a little bit of time.

The fort was built (as many were) to protect early travelers who were part of the westward expansion. There are not many buildings left but the volunteers were knowledgeable.

Whether camping, picnics, fishing, or just out for a nature walk the Fort Kearney State Recreation Area is sure to please. Only downside is you have to purchase at least a day pass. Still worth it.

This year (2013) they began charging $2 to enter the museum. It is a good museum, but I didn't think it was worth paying for if we'd already been there.

There is a lot here to learn but many of the buildings do not exist any more. It appears they are trying to bring things back to the time when it was in full swing but it will take awhile. If you are looking to take a break, learn a little, and have a picnic i would suggest stopping here.