Be sure to check out our Southern Colorado 2 Week Itinerary for more ideas when Visiting Amache National Historic Site!
Visiting Amache National Historic Site
Amache National Historic Site –
The United State’s Newest National Park
Amache National Historic Site was a site that incarcerated over 10,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II.
Also, Amache became a National Historic Site on February 15th, 2024. Additionally, we visited in June of 2024, which was just a few months after it was formally dedicated.
Visiting Amache National Historic Site
Plan to spend a couple of hours reading the information signs and driving through the compound. Currently, there is no visitor center or restrooms. Also, the site is only open for viewing by car tour, with signs detailing the sites. Finally, be aware that the roads through the site are unpaved.
Below is a basic map that shows the interpretative signs. Also, it shows the site “upside down” since you will be entering from the north at the top of the map.
The second map is the flipped, showing the sites as if you were driving in from the bottom.
Restoring A National Historic Site
Amache was run by volunteers before its introduction as a national historic site. However, the camp was closed as an incarceration camp in 1945. Also, most of the buildings have been lost in the nearly 80 years since it’s closing.
Today, only a few buildings reaming. Additionally, you will see mostly foundations where the original buildings existed. Also, there are signs that detail the restoration plans of some of these buildings, so that visitors can get a better idea of how the site existed during its operation.
The History of a Japanese Internment Camp
Additionally, read more about Amache’s establishment. According to Secretary Haaland, “As a nation, we must face the wrongs of our past in order to build a more just and equitable future ” and the site “will help preserve and honor this important and painful chapter in our nation’s story for future generations.”
Also, Amache was known as Granada Relocation Center. Additionally, it was one of 10 Japanese interment camps during WWII. Tragically, over 10,000 people were incarcerated from 1942-1945 at the Amache site. Also, the majority were US citizens.
Also, a few years ago, my wife and I visited Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle, Washington. Additionally, the Bainbridge History Museum includes pictures of the relocated Japanese people. Interestingly, many of the photos were taken by Ansel Adams.
Reading the Signs
Additionally, I’ve included some of the signs located around Amache National Historic Site.
How to Get There
Amache National Historic Site is located in Eastern Colorado on Route 50, not far from the Kansas- Colorado border.
Nearby Areas
Also, be sure to check out our Southern Colorado 2 Week Itinerary for more ideas while visiting Amache National Historic Site. Additionally, be sure to check out other sites in the Rocky Mountain Region. Finally, thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy your visit to Amache National Historic Site!