Cove Fort

Cove Fort

Cove Fort
  • Weather: Mostly Clear, 64F
Built in 1867, Cove Fort is one of the few mid-19th century forts built in the Western United States that is still standing, because it was constructed with volcanic rock and limestone from a nearby quarry, rather than with timber. 

Built by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a safe haven between Fillmore, the former capital of the Territory of Utah, and the nearby towns of Beaver and Kanosh, Cove Fort served as an important station as Utah and the rest of the West became more established. Due to inadequate water supplies that would be necessary to support a town, however, it was never fully settled. 

Today Cove Fort is a historic site operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is open to the public. Tours of the restored fort tell about the families who lived there and about their efforts to provide for the needs of the travelers.

History of Cove Fort

During its heydey (the two decades after it was built), the Gilmer Salisbury Stagecoach line stopped at Cove Fort twice a day, and as many as 75 people would stay and eat at the fort at one time. Serving as an important regional communications hub, there was also a telegraph office.

In 1890 the Church leased the fort out, and in 1911 sold it to the William H. Kesler family who owned it until 1988 when it was purchased by descendants of Ira and Arza Hinckley. Arza was Ira’s brother who helped to build the fort and actually ran it for five years after Ira was called as a stake president for the LDS church.

On May 21, 1994, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley, dedicated the Historic Cove Fort Complex.

Visiting the unique stone structure is like taking a trip back in time. Standing at 100 feet by 100 feet, Cove Fort has 12 rooms to explore. Each room has been restored to reclaim the look and feel from its first decade of use, and are fully decorated with authentic furnishings and artifacts.

Visiting the unique stone structure is like taking a trip back in time. Standing at 100 feet by 100 feet, Cove Fort has 12 rooms to explore. Each room has been restored to reclaim the look and feel from its first decade of use, and are fully decorated with authentic furnishings and artifacts.

Photo: Rosie Serago

Cove Fort

Cove Fort has more than 70,000 visitors annually, and is one of only three forts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cove Fort has more than 70,000 visitors annually, and is one of only three forts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo: Rosie Serago

Cove Fort

Visiting the unique stone structure is like taking a trip back in time. Standing at 100 feet by 100 feet, Cove Fort has 12 rooms to explore. Each room has been restored to reclaim the look and feel from its first decade of use, and are fully decorated with authentic furnishings and artifacts.

When you arrive and enter, there is a short movie on the history of the fort you can watch in the Hinckley Cabin or in the theater. After watching the video, seek out a missionary/guide to get the full history of the fort and the family that lived there. You can visit the rooms and the inner courtyard on your own, but you’ll miss some really good stories if you don’t go through with a guide. They'll also show you the outbuildings: a blacksmith shop, ice house, bunkhouse, barn and more. Enjoy lunch or a snack in the shaded picnic area. It makes for an excellent place to simply stretch your legs and take a break as you reach the intersection of I-70 and I-15 in Beaver County, also known as Ramblers (Read: “Ramble On: An Insider's Guide to Beaver County”).

Plan Your Visit

Location, Hours & Fees

HC-74 Box 6500

Beaver, Utah 84713

Monday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Please confirm by phone.

There is no fee for visiting and missionaries offer tours of the fort and surrounding buildings at no charge.

Where to Stay

The nearest lodging is in Beaver, Fillmore or Richfield.

5 Days

Grand Adventure in the Great Basin

In this five-day itinerary you won’t find many crowds. But take your time and you’ll find this desert geography isn’t so empty after all.

Adventure, Agritourism, ATV and off-road, Camping & Backpacking, Climbing & Canyoneering, Cycling, Dinosaurs, Guided Experiences, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Photography, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing, Wildlife

Highlights

See Itinerary

What's Nearby

Previous Image Next Image