Buckland Loop

Buckland Loop is a short 0.7-mile loop trail circling from Samuel Buckland Campground to the fort ruins inside Fort Churchill State Historic Park. With no dedicated parking lots for this trail, the easiest parking may be at the gravel pullout on the left immediately before the bridge en route to Samuel Buckland Campground. Walking in a counterclockwise direction, the trail first parallels the campground and passes a vault toilet before reaching the group use area road and veering north where the old fort ruins open into view. A fork leaves the loop trail and continues on to the ruins;otherwise, the path turns left to head toward the bridge and completes the loop. Though short, the Buckland Loop Trail can combine with other trails along their corner of the park to create a route that touches on several of the main features inside the park. With minimal elevation change, this trail is fine for nearly all ability levels. Visitors to the Buckland Loop Trail are subject to the park's $5 entrance fee, which is payable upon entering. Aside from the vault toilet, there are no amenities along the trail. Water, flush bathrooms and trash are all located at the visitor center adjacent to the park's entrance.