Plan your visit to the Fort!

Hours:

May to October: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm

November to April: Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm

The Apple River Fort is open for visitors year-round, with hours varying by the season.  Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. 

Interpretive Center

We recommend that you begin your visit at our Interpretive Center! 

Explore the history of the site through:

     -  A permanent exhibit about the Black Hawk War (main level)

     -  A permanent exhibit about the archaeology and reconstruction of

         the Fort (lower level)

     -  A dramatic 16-minute film about the Black Hawk War (lower level)

     -  A variety of seasonal and rotating exhibits (both levels)

     -  A friendly and knowledgeable staff

The Interpretive Center also has:

     -  The Fort's Gift Shop

     -  Two single occupant restrooms (both are gender neutral and

         handicap accessible, one has infant changing station)

     -  Drinking water fountain

The Interpretive Center is handicap accessible via a ramp at the main level entrance. Lower level is accessible by an interior staircase or by an exterior sidewalk and back door. For more information or accessibility requests, please contact the site.

The Interpretive Center parking lot has an electric car charger. However, the Apple River Fort did not install, nor do we maintain, this charger. Any questions should be directed to Jo-Carroll Energy at (800) 858-5522 or ZEF Energy Support at (888) 493-3638.

The Reconstructed Fort

Constructed in 1997-1998, an exact replica of the Apple River Fort stands next to the site of the original Fort. The reconstructed Fort is open regularly for self-guided tours. All buildings within the Fort have viewing gates on the doorways—visitors will be able to look into the buildings, but will not be able to enter to protect artifacts on display inside.

The buildings are open periodically to visitors during special events or as part of a scheduled group tour.

The reconstructed Fort is 1/4 mile from the Fort's Interpretive Center. Visitors may walk or drive up to the Fort. The Old Fort Road is paved, and features interpretive signage along the way. There is no parking lot at the Fort, just a turnabout loop. However, vehicles may pull off to the side to park temporarily so that occupants may explore the Fort on foot.

Casper-Koester Cabin 

Along the path to the Fort way you will pass the Casper-Koester Cabin.  This original 1840s cabin was moved from just south of Scales Mound to its new home at the edge of the site's prairie.  The cabin is still under construction and is not yet open to the public.