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Welcome to Fort Duffield

Built in 1861 above the junction of the Ohio and Salt Rivers, Fort Duffield remains one of
Kentucky’s best‑preserved Civil War earthworks. The men who soldiered and served here preserved
the landscape and stories they left behind.

Historic sketch of West Point and the Ohio and Salt Rivers below Fort Duffield



✦ New Primary Source

The Complete Wellington C. Wells Diary

From Fort Wayne, Michigan to Nashville, Tennessee — 138 daily entries from October 1861 through March 1862, fully annotated.
The only known daily diary of a 9th Michigan bandsman at Fort Duffield.

Read the full diary →



Start Here

New to Fort Duffield? These four sections give you the best introduction to the fort’s history,
the people who served here, and how to explore the site today.

Trail Safety

Before You Visit

  • Wear sturdy, non‑slip shoes
  • Bring water and dress for the weather
  • Stay on marked trails; avoid earthworks
  • Use insect repellent
  • Watch for poison ivy and poison oak
  • Carry a cell phone; call 911 for emergencies

General Safety

  • Stay alert
  • Keep right
  • Announce passing
  • Yield properly

Walking / Hiking

  • Wear sturdy footwear
  • Stay on marked paths
  • Dress for conditions
  • Hydrate regularly
  • Use insect repellent
  • Wildlife awareness

Cycling

  • Yield to pedestrians
  • Announce intentions
  • Helmet required
  • Manage speed
  • Stay visible

Emergency Actions

  • Call 911
  • Stop & stay put
  • Report injuries
  • Weather response



Explore Fort Duffield

Discover the fort’s history, the people who served here, and the preserved earthworks you can explore today.

People of Fort Duffield

Explore rosters, biographies, and memorial projects.

Research & Primary Sources

Letters, maps, reports, and archaeological findings.

Plan Your Visit

  • Location: West Point, Kentucky
  • Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM
  • Parking: Free at trailhead
  • Trail Difficulty: Moderate incline
  • Restrooms: Seasonal
  • Pets: Allowed on leash

About Fort Duffield

Constructed by Union troops in the early months of the Civil War, Fort Duffield guarded the approaches to Louisville
and the vital river junction below. Its earthworks remain among the best‑preserved in Kentucky.

Today, visitors can walk the preserved earthworks, explore interpretive stations, and connect the landscape to the
stories of the soldiers who served here.

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