History and culture - Eastern Plains
Near Eads, the Sand Creek Massacre site is sacred ground the National Park Service cares for
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Kiowa County is a place of mourning for the Cheyenne and Arapaho people, and the National Park Service is the agency that protects and explains it.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
In the open grassland northeast of Eads, in Kiowa County, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site marks where U.S. soldiers attacked a Cheyenne and Arapaho village on November 29, 1864. Many of those killed were women, children, and elders. This is not a scenic stop. For the descendant tribes it is sacred ground and a place of mourning, and it is cared for that way.
The National Park Service is the federal agency that protects and explains the site. Park staff work with the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations connected to this history, and the grounds are kept simple and quiet on purpose.
Why this matters if you live in or move to the area: the site is part of the county’s identity, and people who visit are asked to come with respect. Hours, road access, and what is open can change, so they are worth checking before a trip rather than assumed.
If you want to understand this place or plan a respectful visit, start with the National Park Service site for Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, and follow the guidance the descendant tribes and the Park Service provide.