Buffalo Soldiers Travel Guide

Buffalo Soldiers Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Learn & Experience

This show features the U.S. Mint Texas State Quarter. “The Texas quarter is the third of 2004 and the 28th in the 50 State Quarters Program. The quarters are issued in the order the states were admitted into the Union. On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state to be admitted into the Union. The Texas quarter incorporates the distinctive outline of the State with a superimposed star and the inscription, “The Lone Star State.” The lariat encircling the design is symbolic of the cattle and cowboy history of Texas and the frontier spirit.” – U.S. Mint

Let’s hit the road with the Buffalo Soldiers travel guide filled with places to visit, learn and reflect. It’s all below.

Here’s a Buffalo Soldiers travel guide with places to visit, learn and experience more about their legacy. They served for over 80 years across the American frontier, protecting roads, building infrastructure, and even serving as the first national park rangers.

TEXAS Essential Core Buffalo Soldiers Sites 1. Fort Davis National Historic Site Official Website

Location: Fort Davis, TexasWhy visit: One of the best-preserved Buffalo Soldiers forts in America.

What you’ll experience:

• Original barracks and officer quarters

• Living history demonstrations

• Exhibits on the 9th and 10th Cavalry

Buffalo Soldiers stationed here protected travelers, escorted mail, and built telegraph lines across West Texas.

2. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Location: Houston, TexasWebsite: https://buffalosoldiersmuseum.org

What you’ll experience:

• Uniforms, weapons, and artifacts

• Interactive exhibits

• Full Buffalo Soldiers historical timeline

This is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated primarily to Buffalo Soldiers.

3. Fort Concho National Historic Landmark

Location: San Angelo, TexasWebsite: https://fortconcho.com

What you’ll experience:

• Original cavalry barracks

• Parade grounds

• Living history programs

Buffalo Soldiers from the 10th Cavalry served here.

4. Fort Bliss & Buffalo Soldiers Memorial

Location: El Paso, TexasWebsite: https://home.army.mil/bliss

What you’ll experience:

• Buffalo Soldiers memorial statue

• Military heritage exhibits

CALIFORNIA Buffalo Soldiers as National Park Rangers

Buffalo Soldiers were among the first park rangers, protecting Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

5. Yosemite National Park

Website: https://www.nps.gov/yose

What you’ll experience:

• Interpretive exhibits on Buffalo Soldiers

• Historic ranger patrol routes

6. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Website: https://www.nps.gov/seki

Buffalo Soldiers built roads and protected giant sequoia groves.

ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO Frontier Military Sites 7. Fort Huachuca Buffalo Soldiers Museum

Location: Sierra Vista, ArizonaWebsite: https://home.army.mil/huachuca

Home of the legendary 10th Cavalry.

8. Fort Bayard Historic District

Location: Fort Bayard, New MexicoWebsite: https://fortbayard.org

Buffalo Soldiers protected settlers and patrolled frontier territory here.

KANSAS Where Buffalo Soldiers Were Formed 9. Fort Leavenworth

Location: Leavenworth, KansasWebsite: https://home.army.mil/leavenworth

Buffalo Soldiers regiments were formed and trained here after the Civil War.

MONTANA & WYOMING 10. Yellowstone National Park

Website: https://www.nps.gov/yell

Buffalo Soldiers served as park rangers before the National Park Service existed.

OKLAHOMA 11. Fort Sill National Historic Landmark & Museum

Location: Lawton, OklahomaWebsite: https://sill-www.army.mil

Buffalo Soldiers played key roles in frontier patrols.

NEBRASKA 12. Fort Robinson State Park

Location: Crawford, NebraskaWebsite: https://outdoornebraska.gov

Home of the famous 9th Cavalry.

NATIONAL & MAJOR MUSEUMS 13. National Museum of African American History and Culture

Location: Washington, DCWebsite: https://nmaahc.si.edu

Buffalo Soldiers exhibits, artifacts, and uniforms.

14. Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Location: Washington, DCWebsite: https://americanhistory.si.edu

Military history collections include Buffalo Soldiers.

COLORADO 15. Fort Garland Museum

Location: Fort Garland, ColoradoWebsite: https://fortgarlandmuseum.org

Buffalo Soldiers protected settlers and mail routes here.

OTHER KEY HISTORIC ROUTES & EXPERIENCES Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail In Multiple states

Website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/index.htm

Includes historic routes across: -Texas -New Mexico -Arizona -California

BEST SINGLE DESTINATION FOR EXPERIENCING THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS

If choosing one place: Fort Davis National Historic Site (Texas)This is one of the most complete and authentic Buffalo Soldiers experiences in America.

BEST OVERALL BUFFALO SOLDIERS TRAVEL ITINERARY ROUTE

Texas → New Mexico → Arizona → California This follows the actual frontier path Buffalo Soldiers rode.

Places with Living Buffalo Soldiers Programs

• Fort Davis, TX

• Fort Huachuca, AZ

• Yosemite National Park

• Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston