Watrous, NM: Fort Union National Monument invites you to join our annual First Fort and Arsenal Tours on Saturday Sept. 16, 2017. Travel down the Santa Fe Trail to the first Fort Union located in the heart of Jicarilla Apache country. The First Fort and Arsenal site are open to the public only once a year, so visitors can have an opportunity to discover the origins of Fort Union, and the Arsenal that supplied the army in the Southwest. Both were critical in the establishment of the United States in the Southwest as conflicts escalated during the “Indian Wars" in the second half of the 19th Century. Historic weapons used by Dragoons, Civil War Volunteers, and Indian Wars soldiers like the famous “Buffalo Soldiers" will be displayed and demonstrated.
Join a Ranger-led tour through the remnants of the Arsenal and First Fort. Tour times are at 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, and 2:00pm. This program is brought to you in partnership with the Fort Union Ranch. Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes and a hat, as well as bring sunblock, snacks and water. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at the visitor center 15 minutes before start times for an introduction and safety briefing.
To visit the monument, take Exit 366 off I-25 at Watrous, NM, onto State Hwy. 161, 8 miles. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information, contact Fort Union National Monument at (505) 425-8025. You can find our free APP in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Search for Fort Union National Monument. Visit www.nps.gov/foun, or like on us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FortUnionNM.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
