Fort Union National Monument will host its annual First Fort and Arsenal site tours Saturday, Sept. 10. Courtesy/NPS

NPS News:

WATROUS — Fort Union National Monument invites the public to join their annual First Fort and Arsenal Tours Saturday, Sept. 10.

The First Fort and Arsenal sites are open to the public only once a year, and these will be guided tours only. 

First Fort and Arsenal tours will be departing from the Monument visitor center at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. Visitors should arrive at the visitor center 15 minutes before start times for an introduction and safety briefing.

They will caravan by private vehicles from the visitor center to the First Fort/Arsenal location. This program is not suitable for low-clearance vehicles. Please bring water, hat, sunscreen and walking shoes/boots.

This is an opportunity for visitors to discover the origins of Fort Union and the Arsenal that supplied the army in the Southwest. The Fort Union Arsenal was a major testing ground for the new weapons technologies of the mid-1800s. Park rangers will also be demonstrating a variety of military uniforms and weapons used by the troops throughout the long history of the fort.  

Fort Union National Monument is west of Watrous.

Take exit 366 off I-25 and follow NM 161 eight miles west to the Monument.

For more information, visit us on online or contact the park at 505.425.8025, ext. 0.