Cantonment Reno

Cantonment Reno is a military outpost from the 1860s located in remote Wyoming. The remaining structures include ruins of barracks, officers' quarters, and support buildings arranged across the site in patterns typical of frontier military design.

Established in 1865, the outpost served as a base for military operations and troop movements across the western frontier. It was part of a network of forts built to support the nation's westward expansion during that era.

The site reflects how military presence shaped control of western lands and relationships with Native communities. Walking through the remains, you can sense the tension between the fort's purpose and the territories it occupied.

The site is remote and requires planning before you visit. Interpretive signs throughout help explain the ruins, and sturdy shoes are recommended due to the uneven terrain and scattered stone foundations.

The site was named after Major General Jesse L. Reno, who died in the Civil War. This connection links the remote outpost directly to the larger events shaping the nation at that time.

Location: Johnson County

GPS coordinates: 43.78637,-106.25447

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:08