sand-creek-massacre | CO | Find park

Four white Indian lodges on a grassy plain.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Lodges erected in commemoration of the 150th Year of the Sand Creek Massacre

A lone tipi frame and two wayside signs stand in a snow-covered landscape

A tipi frame is backlit by an evening sky.

The uppermost branches of leafless trees in a grassy plain are lit by the setting sun.

The setting sun highlights trees along Sand Creek, forming a hauntingly beautiful landscape

A tipi frame is silhouetted by the evening sky.

The silhouette of a lone tipi at dusk symbolizes the tragic events that occurred in 1864 and of the indomitable spirit of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people, who overcame the tragedy and continue to work with the NPS to preserve its memory and legacy.

An expanse of winter prairie with brown grasses, leafless trees, and low clouds above.

Winter on the Southeastern Colorado Plains can produce beautiful scenes such as this.

A wayside in the snow-covered foreground with a winter plain stretching behind.

This tranquil winter view shows snow throughout the Sand Creek Valley.

Physical Address:

55411 County Rd W

Chivington, CO 81036

Mailing Address:

1301 Maine Street

P.O. Box 249

Eads, CO 81036-0249

contact-details

Phone Number: 7194385916 Voice

Email Address: sand_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:National Historic Site

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

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.

Exceptions:

Closed Veterans Day (November 11, 2025 - November 11, 2025)

Closed Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Closed Christmas Day (December 25, 2025 - December 25, 2025)

Closed New Year's Day (January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026)

Closed MLK (January 19, 2026 - January 19, 2026)

Closed Washington's Birthday (February 16, 2026 - February 16, 2026)

Closed Juneteenth (June 19, 2026 - June 19, 2026)

Weather Information:

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