8 Wonderful things to do at Fort Sill

Going to Fort Sill? If so, expect bright sky and continual fire. You know summer is hot and winter is cold. You may not know that this southern Oklahoma post was founded during the Indian Wars. That makes it a National Landmark; history is everywhere. Stationed staff can enjoy outdoor and historical activities. Many are family-friendly.

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Visitors enjoying various activities at Fort Sill

If you are, get ready for clear skies and the sound of gunfire all the time. It will be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, which you probably already know. But you might not know that this post in southern Oklahoma was built during the Indian Wars. That means it’s now a National Landmark, and everywhere you look there’s history. For people who are stationed here, there are many historical and outdoor things to do. A lot of them are fun for the whole family.

The real name of Fort Sill is the Fort Sill Fires Centre of Excellence (FCoF). Its job is to train soliders who work with weapons well. Every day and night, they learn how to put “steel on target.” One of the best places in the Army to train is Fort Sill, which has three ways to train and get ready. It is the largest field artillery complex in the free world and is home to the Field Artillery School, which trains soldiers and marines in field artillery all over the world, and the Field Artillery Training Centre, which teaches basic combat, one-station unit training, and advanced individual training.

Here are eight amazing things you can do at Fort Sill.

Things to do at Fort Sill

It was in the 1930s that Rucker Park was used to train the Army Equestrian Team. Now it’s a quiet, open area right on post. With its trees and old stone buildings that were once used to train horses, it’s a lovely place to have a lunch and play games outside with family and friends.

Field Artillery Park has a collection of artillery that can be seen outside. Both kids and adults will find it amazing. The show has more than 20 pieces of weapons and a lot of other Army gear for you to look at. A lot of them are painted in bright colours and have information about their past on them. The Artillery Museum at Fort Sill is right next to the park and is also worth seeing.

Nature, nature, and more nature

This huge, hilly area is home to many animals, such as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, longhorn cattle, white-tailed deer, and more. Soon, you’ll be so far away from Fort Sill that you won’t even be able to hear the gun range. People who love the outdoors will have a great time exploring the area, whether they go climbing, watch birds, or look for different kinds of wildlife.

A very beautiful place close to Fort Sill is Medicine Bluff. It used to be a holy spot for Plains Indians, where they held practises to heal themselves. He was an Apache leader and medicine man in the late 1800s, and troops were chasing him. The story goes that he rode off a bluff on his horse. He screamed “Geronimooooo!” as he fell to his death. His grave is in Fort Sill, where you can see it.

Want a way to unwind while you live in Fort Sill? This beautiful park and recreation area has a playground for kids that is partly covered, lots of picnic places, and trails that are good for dogs. There is also a no-wake pool where you can swim, kayak, and do other water sports. If you want to spend a few days in the woods without anyone else around, you can even sleep here.

The Holy City

There is an amazing 66-acre area called “The Holy City” that is tucked into the Wichita Mountains. That short drive from Fort Sill makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time. As you walk through this impressive stone city, you can learn about the past of the Bible. For pictures, don’t forget your camera. There are lots of places to take them.

Aquarium at Medicine Park

There are areas inside and outside of Medicine Park Aquarium where you can see a wide range of animals and fish. Inside, there are tanks with mostly freshwater fish in them. There are snakes, turtles, sea otters, alligators, and more outside of you to see. They even have a mountain cat and a wolf in their outdoor area. All military families can get in for less money.

Old West Museum of the Great Plains

To learn more about the history and culture of the Great Plains, go to the Museum of the Great Plains, which is farther away from Fort Sill. There are hands-on parts of the museum that will keep the kids busy. In the outside area, there is an old fort, a train, and farm tools. Everyone in a military family can get in for less money.

8 Wonderful Things to Do at Fort Sill

Wonderful Activity at Fort Sill

Activity Description
Visit the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum Explore the rich military history and artifacts at this informative museum.
Check out the Geronimo’s Grave A historical site where the famous Apache leader, Geronimo, is buried.
Take a Guided Tour Join a guided tour to learn more about Fort Sill’s history and significance.
Explore the Artillery Museum Discover the evolution of artillery and its impact on military history.
Outdoor Recreation Enjoy hiking, biking, and picnicking in the beautiful surroundings.
Attend a Ceremony or Event Participate in various military ceremonies and community events.
Visit the Fort Sill Historic District Walk through the historic district to see preserved buildings and landscapes.
Engage in Family Activities Join family-friendly activities and programs for all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Fort Sill known for?

Ans: The US Army Field Artillery School, the Marine Corps' Field Artillery MOS school, the US Army Air Defence Artillery School, the 31st Air Defence Artillery Brigade, and the 75th Field Artillery Brigade are all based at Fort Sill.

Q: Can anyone visit Fort Sill?

Ans: Tourists. Anyone who wants to visit Fort Sill must fill out a Fort Sill Form 118a, Request for Unescorted Installation Access to Fort Sill. It doesn't matter if they need a pass for one day or one year.

Q: What Indian is buried at Fort Sill?

Ans: "Site with a lot of history." That's why it's important to learn about the past of the late 1800s and Fort Sill. There is a grave for Geronimo at the Apache Prisoner-of-War Cemetery. He is likely the most famous Indian of all time.

Q: How old is Fort Sill?

Ans: Soon, the new post was marked out, and in 1869 and 1870, work began on the permanent stone buildings. Soon, the post was named Fort Sill to honour General Joshua Sill, who died in the Civil War in 1862.

Q: What city is outside of Fort Sill?

Ans: Lawton is the county city of Comanche County, and there are just under 93,000 people living there. A big part of its income comes from being close to Fort Sill, which is only 4 miles away. Lawton has a lot of parks and lakes for people to enjoy, both permanently and temporarily.