The Apple River Fort is open to visitors year-round, with hours of operation varying depending on the season.
May 1 through October 31 — Wednesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 1 through April 30 — Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission to the site is always free; we do accept donations, with a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.
We always recommend that you begin your visit at our Interpretive Center, just off historic Route 20. Learn the incredible history of the Apple River Fort through several exhibits about the settlement of the area, the Black Hawk War of 1832, the archaeology of the original Fort, and more. A dramatic 16-minute film that tells the history of the Black Hawk War is also available for free and will be played upon request.
Our Interpretive Center also has the site's gift shop, the site's only public restrooms, and a drinking fountain. The building is handicap accessible via a ramp at the main level entrance; lower level access inside is via a staircase only 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.
Constructed in 1997-1998, an exact replica of the Apple River Fort stands next to the site of the original Fort. The Fort is open for self-guided tours only. All buildings within the Fort have viewing gates in the doorways — visitors will be able to look inside the buildings, but won't be able to enter them to protect furniture and objects on display.
The Fort building interiors are open to visitors periodically during special events or as part of a scheduled group tour.
The reconstructed Fort is a quarter 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.
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 interior of the cabin is still under development is not open to the public.
