Standing Guard: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Forts are bookends to the American story - from the earliest feats of engineering to today's centers of urban revitalization. In between the bricks and stones of each individual fort lies a mortar filled with a multitude of stories of lives lived and lives taken. By exploring forts across the National Park Service collectively, we can trace an interwoven fabric of history that unfurled across this land to make it what it is today.

Find a fort and start exploring today! Read more about forts or perhaps explore what we do to preserve forts or catch up on the latest fort news. Kids and teachers may enjoy exploring lesson plans and activities too. Lastly, learn all the great things that you can do to help support our forts.

map of US with black circles and points

Explore forts in the national parks!

a wagon wheel on left, firing canon on right

News and Announcements

Check out the lastest in news releases and announcements that relate to forts and fort parks around the National Park Service.

fighter jets fly over a fort with crowd below

Events at Forts

Experience a wide variety of celebrations, activities, and programs at forts around the nation.

inside a brick fort with archways on the left and bin of coal in foreground

Preserving Historic Forts

Learn more about the tools, techniques and people that come together to preserve and maintain historic forts for future generations.

A masonry structure with red metal roof and tree in front

Video: Historic Fort Yellowstone

Fort Yellowstone protected Yellowstone from poachers and souvenir hunters, a job that would transition to the new National Park Service.

ranger on grass with kids and fort in background

Forts open up opportunities for family fun and learning for all ages. Explore our Kids & Education page for activities and resources.

Last updated: January 3, 2023

A Few Forts To Explore

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