Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Colorado.

In the park service’s words

On November 29th, 1864, Chiefs Black Kettle, White Antelope, Left Hand and others were encamped with around 750 Arapaho and Cheyenne people in a valley by the Big Sandy Creek. A hope for peace, brought forth by Black Kettle was in the balance. It was a tragic day where the blood of the Cheyenne and Arapaho was shed, and a painful memory for generations of Native Americans was made.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Be a Sand Creek B.A.R.K. Ranger (5 to 15 Minutes): Bring your furry friend to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and take the B.A.R.K. Ranger pledge!
• Hike the Monument Hill Trail: The Monument Hill Trail runs from the orientation area to the hill where the overlook is located. Exhibits and benches along the trail introduce the events which led to the massacre.
• The Bluff Trail: The Bluff Trail is approximately three-quarters of a mile long and runs northwest from the overlook along the bluff overlooking the Big Sandy Creek at roughly the 4,000-foot contour line. Benches and wayside exhibits along the trail allow for moments of peace, solitude, and reflection.
• Sand Creek Ranger Talk (30 to 40 Minutes): The Sand Creek ranger talk discusses the events of the mid 1800's and describes some of the social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the Sand Creek Massacre. Please note that this is a stationary talk, not a walking tour.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. The park is located 23 miles outside of the town of Eads, Colorado and is open five days a week. Please view the directions tab for more information.

Getting there

The Sand Creek Massacre is located in Kiowa County, Colorado. To visit the site, follow Colorado State Highway 96 east off Highway 287 near Eads, or west off Highway 385 at Sheridan Lake. Near Chivington, turn north onto County Road 54/Chief White Antelope Way or at Brandon, turn north onto County Road 59. Follow these roads to their intersections with County Road W. The park entrance is along CR W a mile east (right) of CR 54 or several miles west (left) of CR 59.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Information Center: Mon 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 9:00AM - 4:00PM. The Contact Station is located at the historic site, which is eight miles north of the town of Chivington. It provides education and orientation materials and has a sales outlet for educational merchandise. The Contact Station maintains the same hours as the park. NOTE: Bookstore sales end at 3:30 pm.

Weather

Weather conditions at the park vary considerably. Temperatures range from over 100°F in summer to under 20°F in winter. Visitors can expect blowing dust and sand year-round, especially during infrequent storms. Some of these storms produce violent tornadoes or large blizzards, so prepare accordingly, and contact the on-duty Ranger to ask about road conditions at (719)-438-5916

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Sand Dunes, about 173 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.