Amache National Historic Site preserves the remains of one of ten incarceration camps where over 10,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly imprisoned during World War II from 1942 to 1945. Located on Colorado's windswept High Plains near Granada, the site includes the original cemetery with its brick columbarium, foundation remnants of barracks and community buildings, and interpretive panels that tell the powerful stories of resilience and injustice. At its peak, Amache held nearly 7,500 people, making it Colorado's tenth-largest population center at the time. Families can walk the self-guided driving tour to experience the vastness of what was once a bustling community behind barbed wire.
Junior Ranger Program at Amache National Historic Site
The Junior Ranger program at Amache guides young visitors through interactive activities that help them understand the experiences of the 7,318 people who were incarcerated here. Kids complete age-appropriate booklets featuring historical puzzles, reflection questions, and activities that encourage them to think about civil rights, resilience, and the importance of standing up for others.
- Explore authentic barracks foundations and camp layout
- Learn stories of courage and community through engaging activities
- Earn a special badge while discovering an important piece of American history
Program Details
Download Junior Ranger Booklet
Get a head start! Download and print the booklet before your visit.
Source: NPS Junior Ranger Program Page
Best Ages for Amache National Historic Site
Ages 5–8
Young Junior Rangers complete at least 6 activities in the beautifully illustrated booklet. The story format with characters Rose and Mas helps make this complex history accessible, though families should be prepared to discuss difficult topics about injustice and forced removal from homes.
Ages 9–12
This age group completes at least 8 activities and truly benefits from the booklet's blend of historical narrative and hands-on activities like origami, garden design, and archaeology exercises. Kids this age can grasp the broader themes of civil rights while connecting personally to Rose and Mas's experiences.
Ages 13+
Teens and adults complete the entire booklet, engaging with deeper reflection questions about justice, resilience, and historical memory. The program encourages critical thinking about how this history connects to contemporary issues of civil rights and the importance of protecting democratic values.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The site is located 1.5 miles west of Granada, Colorado, accessible via Highway 385/50 along the historic Santa Fe Trail. Large parking areas accommodate RVs and vans easily, with no entrance fees or reservations required. The flat terrain makes the site fully accessible for families exploring together.
Van & RV Notes
The spacious parking area easily accommodates Sprinter vans and larger RVs with no height restrictions. While there's no camping at the site itself, Granada and Lamar offer RV parks and services within 20 miles. The rural location provides peaceful boondocking opportunities for self-sufficient rigs.
Best Time to Visit
Spring through fall offers the most comfortable weather for walking the expansive grounds, though the High Plains location means wind and temperature extremes year-round. Summer brings occasional thunderstorms that add drama to the wide-open landscape. Winter visits are possible but prepare for harsh conditions and limited daylight hours.
How Long to Spend
Plan a half-day visit to fully experience the self-guided driving tour and complete Junior Ranger activities. The contemplative nature of the site encourages families to take their time reading panels and reflecting at the cemetery.
Don't Miss
The brick columbarium in the cemetery, built by incarcerated people in 1945, provides a powerful focal point for reflection and remembrance. Walking among the remaining building foundations helps families visualize the scale of this community that once housed thousands of people on the windswept plains.
Fun Facts for Kids
Amache was the only incarceration camp with a successful silkscreen printing shop that produced posters and training materials for the US Navy
At its peak, Amache's population of nearly 7,500 people made it Colorado's tenth-largest city at the time
The site is named after Ameohtse'e Ochinee Prowers, a Cheyenne woman whose name means 'Walking Woman'
Many families at Amache created beautiful gardens using found materials like concrete chunks and river rocks to build stone walls and bridges
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
See all Junior Ranger badges
Track your family's progress across every National Park Service site
View Badge Tracker