About Fort Hays Old West Town
Fort Hays represents the spirit of the Old West in the heart of the Black Hills. The town sits on the original Dances With Wolves Film Set and keeps frontier stories, skills, and traditions alive for today’s visitors.
About Fort Hays Old West Town
Fort Hays represents the spirit of the Old West in the heart of the Black Hills. The town sits on the original Dances With Wolves Film Set and keeps frontier stories, skills, and traditions alive for today’s visitors.
Our Story
Fort Hays began in 1993, founded by Herman Jones as a way to preserve the frontier feel of the Black Hills.
What started as a film location grew into a living Old West town where families can walk the boardwalks, step inside timber cabins, and explore hands-on demonstrations.
The setting—just outside Rapid City—matches the landscapes seen in the award-winning film. Every cabin, tool, and shop supports the original purpose: keep frontier life within reach.
Our Story
Fort Hays began in 1993, founded by Herman Jones as a way to preserve the frontier feel of the Black Hills.
What started as a film location grew into a living Old West town where families can walk the boardwalks, step inside timber cabins, and explore hands-on demonstrations.
The setting—just outside Rapid City—matches the landscapes seen in the award-winning film. Every cabin, tool, and shop supports the original purpose: keep frontier life within reach.
How Fort Hays Was Built
Fort Hays was crafted to look and feel like a true 19th-century settlement. Builders used hand-hewn timber, frontier tools, and authentic construction methods.
The boardwalk layout mirrors the way early towns formed—shops and cabins gathered closely together, creating a tight-knit community feel.
The goal wasn’t recreation. It was honesty. That’s why the cabins look weathered and the shops feel lived in.
Dances With Wolves Film History
Much of Fort Hays remains as it appeared during the filming of Dances With Wolves in 1990. John J. Dunbar’s Post, key cabins, and recognizable props continue to stand on their original footprint. Visitors walk the same paths the cast and crew used more than 30 years ago.
For film fans, this is a rare opportunity to see a preserved shooting location. For families, it’s a memorable blend of history and storytelling.
Dances With Wolves Film History
Much of Fort Hays remains as it appeared during the filming of Dances With Wolves in 1990. John J. Dunbar’s Post, key cabins, and recognizable props continue to stand on their original footprint. Visitors walk the same paths the cast and crew used more than 30 years ago.
For film fans, this is a rare opportunity to see a preserved shooting location. For families, it’s a memorable blend of history and storytelling.
Frontier Trades That Still Live Here
Fort Hays keeps traditional frontier skills alive through daily demonstrations. Blacksmiths heat iron and shape tools by hand. Leatherworkers press patterns into belts and gear. Rope makers twist heavy strands together, showing how settlers built with simple materials. Kids love the penny press, where a small coin becomes a fun keepsake. Hands-on moments like these are at the center of the Fort Hays experience.
A Western Tradition
The Chuckwagon Supper & Show brings a timeless Western tradition to life. Guests share a hearty tin-plate dinner followed by live cowboy music and storytelling. The show feels warm, friendly, and filled with the spirit of the Old West.
For many families, this has become a must-do part of their Black Hills visit.
Why Fort Hays Matters
Fort Hays plays a meaningful role in the Black Hills. It protects regional heritage, preserves Old West craftsmanship, and offers families a simple, memorable way to connect with the past.
The town stands as part museum, part hands-on experience, part Western tradition—an anchor for visitors looking for something real.
It’s a place that keeps frontier stories alive.
Why Fort Hays Matters
Fort Hays plays a meaningful role in the Black Hills. It protects regional heritage, preserves Old West craftsmanship, and offers families a simple, memorable way to connect with the past.
The town stands as part museum, part hands-on experience, part Western tradition—an anchor for visitors looking for something real.
It’s a place that keeps frontier stories alive.
Plan Your Visit
Fort Hays is easy to explore, with walkable boardwalk paths and attractions close together. Parking is available onsite, and seasonal hours offer the best conditions for visitors. Whether you’re planning a short stop or a full afternoon, the town fits naturally into any Black Hills itinerary.