Fort Sumner is best understood through its complex history. The Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site is dedicated to the forced relocation and internment of Diné and Ndé; Fort Sumner and the Pecos River offer further historical and local points of interest. An audio tour and an interpretive trail guide visitors between the Memorial and Fort Sumner.
The Memorial is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Opening hours may change, so check the information before your visit. This helps you plan your stay while keeping the regular opening days in mind.
The History of Bosque Redondo
The Bosque Redondo Memorial presents the history and tragedy of the forced relocation of about 10,000 Diné (Navajo). In 1863, they had to make the 450-mile “Long Walk” to the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation, H’weeldi. Hundreds of Ndé (Mescalero Apache) were also interned there.
The founding of Fort Sumner is also part of this history: the site was established to guard Indigenous people held captive at the Bosque Redondo Reservation. Fort Sumner State Monument is associated with Old Fort Sumner and the Bosque Redondo Reservation, as well as the period from 1862 to 1868.
Visitor facilities at the Memorial include the Old Fort Site Trail and the 3/4-mile-long River Walk Trail. An audio tour and the interpretive trail offer additional ways to learn about the site. Check practical visitor information before your trip if you plan to use these offerings.
Billy the Kid and Other Historical Points of Interest
The Billy the Kid Museum displays items directly associated with Billy the Kid: his rifle, chaps and spurs, the original wanted poster, and locks of his hair. Billy the Kid was buried at Fort Sumner’s old military cemetery the day after he was killed, between his fallen companions Tom O’Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. The museum and gravesite offer different historical points of interest. The tourism information lists a visit to the gravesite as free; check the current visitor conditions in advance.
The Pecos River Bridge near Fort Sumner was completed in 1927.
Walks along the Pecos River
In Fort Sumner, visitors can walk along the historic Pecos River. This adds an opportunity to spend time outdoors to the area’s historical attractions. These walks are separate from the trails listed as visitor facilities at the Bosque Redondo Memorial: the Old Fort Site Trail and the River Walk Trail, which is listed as 3/4 mile long.
If you are considering Fort Sumner as an overnight destination, the focus of your stay can guide your choice: the Memorial’s history, the exhibits at the Billy the Kid Museum, or walks along the Pecos River. When looking for a vacation rental in Fort Sumner, it may help to start by asking which of these aspects of the area matters most for your trip.
For the broader travel overview: De Baca County.
