Park reopens after shutdown
By Lynsi Musselman
Fort Griffin State Historic Site is now open and operational after the -COVID-19 government shutdown, with restrictions for no more than six guests in the building at one time.
Admission prices are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, college students, adult tour groups, and those from the age of six to 18. Special pricing applies to families and school groups. Children five and under are free of charge.
Fort Griffin is open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The campground is also open to campers, but road construction may limit the use of some campsites.
To check campground availability and to reserve a site, call 325-762-3592 or go to www.visitfortgriffin.com.
Activities
Fort Griffin program specialist Eric Abercrombie said a once-a-month guided fort tour is planned for Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Private guided tours are also available anytime during operational hours. It is recommended to call ahead to schedule.
The guided fort tour gives visitors a more in-depth experience of the fort and its extensive history involving the military fort, and the nearby ghost town, known as The Flat.
Tour guides will tell stories of life at the fort, Indian raids, battles with Quannah Parker and the Comanche, pioneer settlers, gamblers, and outlaws.
“Last month on Memorial Day weekend, the first guided tour was able to take place again,” Abercrombie said. “The crowd was unusually small for the holiday weekend, so we are not sure what to expect for the next tour.”
Electric golf carts will be available to check out for those who require them.
Abercrombie added that the next guided tour has not been scheduled, but the staff plans for it to be before the next new moon to coincide with the Stars and Skies of Texas star party.
“We had to cancel the June star party due to not enough government restrictions being lifted,” he said. “Multiple people looking through the same telescope and trying to stand in line with a group in the dark just would not work right now.”
Ambercrombie said Fort Griffin park personnel plan to squeeze a few star parties in before the end of summer.
The star party is a chance for visitors to hear about the night skies from knowledgeable astronomers and view planets, nebulas, and galaxies through a telescope.
Overnight campers at the park can also enjoy views of the night sky.
Texas Historical Commission said that Fort Griffin has gained a reputation for some of the darkest skies in Texas. With the remote location of the fort and minimal light pollution, the nighttime sky is ideal for viewing stars.
