Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City, Kansas, recreates the cattle-trail era of the 1870s and 1880s on the very bluff where the original Dodge City Boot Hill cemetery stood. The museum complex extends across nearly two city blocks at 500 W Wyatt Earp Boulevard and includes a reconstructed Front Street lined with period buildings — a general store, blacksmith shop, Long Branch Saloon, and schoolhouse — all staffed by costumed interpreters from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The outdoor gunfight reenactment, performed daily in summer months on the Front Street boardwalk, draws large crowds and is among the most popular living-history performances in the American West. The on-site collection holds more than 60,000 artifacts relating to the cattle drives, the Santa Fe Trail, and frontier life in western Kansas. Inside the main museum galleries, visitors encounter original Wyatt Earp-era lawmen's badges, authentic cowboy equipment, an 1878 stagecoach, and rotating exhibits on Plains Indian cultures and the African American cowboys who drove cattle up the Chisholm and Western trails. A replica of Boot Hill's 1872 cemetery occupies the grassy knoll above Front Street, where interpretive markers explain the outlaws and trail hands buried there. A children's area features period games and dress-up opportunities. Dodge City sits in southwestern Kansas approximately 2.5 hours west of Wichita via US-54. Summer programming is extensive; off-season the museum is quieter but all indoor exhibits remain open.
Good to know
- Hours
- Memorial Day–Labor Day: Daily 9am–7pm; Sep–May: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
- Best time
- Summer for gunfight shows and full living-history programming
Location
500 W Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City, KS 67801
37.7528, -100.0171 View on map
Highlights
- Reconstructed 1870s Front Street with Long Branch Saloon, general store, and blacksmith staffed by costumed interpreters
- Daily summer gunfight reenactments on the Front Street boardwalk outside the Long Branch Saloon
- Collection of over 60,000 artifacts covering cattle drives, the Santa Fe Trail, and frontier Kansas
- Replica Boot Hill cemetery with interpretive markers on the original 1872 burial ground
- Exhibits on African American cowboys and Plains Indian cultures alongside Wyatt Earp-era badges and weapons
Tips for visiting
- Check the daily gunfight show schedule posted at the entrance — times shift by season and special events.
- The full outdoor Front Street experience is at its best in summer; off-season visits focus on indoor galleries.
- Children's dress-up and interactive areas are located in the southeast corner of the main building.
- Arrive 10 minutes before the gunfight show to secure a front-row boardwalk position.
- Free parking is available directly adjacent to the museum on Wyatt Earp Blvd.
When to visit
Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day) for full living-history programming, gunfight shows, and all buildings staffed. Spring and fall are quieter with all indoor exhibits fully accessible.
Accessibility
The main museum building and the paved Front Street promenade are wheelchair-accessible. Some reconstructed period buildings have original step entries; staff can provide alternative access on request. Restrooms are accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A thorough summer visit covering all exhibits and Front Street buildings takes two to three hours. Off-season indoor-only visits typically run 90 minutes.
Is Boot Hill Museum worth visiting with young children?
Yes — the gunfight reenactments, costumed interpreters, and dress-up area are popular with children aged 5 and up. The outdoor Front Street spaces give younger children room to move between buildings.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is permitted throughout the museum and on Front Street. The gunfight reenactments make for dramatic action shots; arriving early secures the best vantage points on the boardwalk.