National Historic Site

Nicodemus National Historic Site

Midwest

About Nicodemus

Formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky at the end of the post-Civil War Reconstruction period to experience freedom in the "Promised Land" of Kansas. Nicodemus represents the involvement of African Americans in the homesteading movement across the Great Plains. It is the oldest remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River.

From the National Park Service.

Region: Midwest
State: Kansas
Designation: National Historic Site
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Nicodemus.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Park Hours

Mon: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tue: Closed
Wed: Closed
Thu: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Fri: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sun: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

The Nicodemus Township Hall and visitor center is open year-round for five (5) days of the week, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Visitor center hours are 9 am to 5 pm central time. The grounds are open 24 hours a day. The visitor center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year Day.

Weather and when to go

Northwest Kansas has a four-season climate typified by long, hot summers, cold winters, short spring and fall seasons, and a nearly constant breeze. Humidity is relatively low compared to the eastern portion of the state. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning, hail, and gusty winds frequently occur during the spring and summer. Tornados are possible but are less common in Kansas than they are in several other states. Snow accumulation from winter blizzards occasionally causes site to close.

Getting there

Nicodemus National Historic Site is located in northwestern Kansas on Highway 24 between Hill City and Stockton.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 304 Washington Ave., Nicodemus, KS 67625-3015
Phone: (785) 839-4233
Email: Nicodemus_Info@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/nico

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Nicodemus

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Nicodemus

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Park Ranger Programs

Guided Tours · about 35 min · Reservation required

Discover the vibrant history and community of Nicodemus through ranger programs! Request a guided tour of the town, plan a field trip with your school or group, or keep an eye out…
Picnicking at Nicodemus

Picnicking · about 45 min

Picnic areas are available at Nicodemus with picnic tables, sun shelters, grills, and water.
Photography and Art

Arts and Culture · about 45 min

Taking photos in Kansas? What's even out there? Nicodemus has plenty of landscapes, buildings, wildlife, and skies that you will want to capture with photos.