Directions to the fort

The setting

The fort stands on the Mississippi riverfront, the same waterway the original garrison depended on in 1808. From the grounds you look straight out over the water that carried supplies in and, in September 1813, carried the soldiers away after they burned the post and slipped out through a trench to the river under cover of dark. The reconstructed fort sits near the original site, so the river you see is the river they saw.

By car

Fort Madison is in Lee County, in the southeast corner of Iowa, just across the river from Illinois and a short drive from the Missouri line. Most visitors reach town on U.S. Highway 61, which runs north and south through the region, and then follow signs toward the riverfront and downtown. Once you are downtown, head for the river. The fort is right along the water, so keep going toward the Mississippi and you will find it.

For door-to-door driving directions from wherever you are starting, use the Google Maps link above. It is set to route you to the fort's address.

By train

Fort Madison has an Amtrak stop on the Southwest Chief line, which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles. The station is downtown near the river, a short distance from the fort, which makes a car-free visit possible if your schedule lines up with the train.

Parking

Parking is available near the fort along the riverfront. There is room for cars close to the grounds, and on busy reenactment weekends additional parking opens nearby. If you are bringing a bus or a large group, call ahead at 319-470-3642 so we can point your driver to the best place to drop off and park.