Fort Tejon State Historic Park

Clean, interesting, and very pretty stop along the I-​5. Worth the detour.

I stopped here after passing by it several times and never knowing what it was. It is three dollars to get in for adults and one dollar for children. They have a machine inside to flatten a penny with a civil war print on it. Bring your quarters and pennies because the kids will want to do this.
The grounds are beautiful. They are chipmunks running all over the place. While flowers and Marked trails.
I brought my eight-​year-​old granddaughter and she really enjoyed it. The old buildings are open to look at. There is the old Jill an old house, barracks, garden and chicken coop.
This is a very interesting place and I was surprised by how much my eight year old granddaughter enjoyed it.
It’s probably best to come early spring to catch the wildflowers and avoid the heat. Beware of rattlesnakes and try to wear pants

The hills are alive with color, California poppies. Purple and yellow wildflowers too. Even green grass. Long drive north to visit his momma. Gorgeous day, lots of beauty.

Came here with wifey and gotta say its beautiful. We went on a Monday, day tripping from LA, and arrived around 1030 AM. It was completely empty so we were able to let our little dog run free. She had the best time. Its vary open and well kept and is an honor system for paying when you go off season (Only 3 $) We paid, as this is how they are funded, and we were happy to do it. The main houses have information plaques and displays of the clothing the soldiers would wear on the day to day. It was about ½ mile all the way around. Def a great place to get out and stretch the ol’ leggaroos.
After seeing all there is to see we drove a few miles down the street to eat at a place called Los Pinos. Will be leaving a 5 star review as well for taste, and freshness. We also stopped at a local gem called Alices Attic (thrift store) and found imported french soap bars and a necklace and colored candle cups for wifey. All in all, if you are in Lebec, stop here and enjoy a few hours of beautiful landscape and history/

Dragoon Walk. That’s what they call their half mile self-​guided tour that takes you through this historic park that used to be an old army post from 1854 – 1864. Dragoon is the name given to mounted infantry trained in horse riding.
A few of my favorite spots were the soldier’s barracks where you get to view displays featuring old military uniforms and various items from the 1800s, like playing cards and the medical equipment. Peter Le Beck’s grave site was also interesting. He was buried under the 300 year old oak tree after being killed by a bear. His epitaph was carved a tree stump. You get to walk inside of a rebuilt jail cell. You can close the cell door and experience what it was like to be a prisoner. You also get to tour the former Gardiner home and appreciate a typical home of the 1800s. Outside there are live chickens kept in a pen.
This park may not necessarily be enough of a destination to justify a dedicated visit but it’s a perfect little pit stop if you’re passing through the grapevine and you have an hour or two to burn. The park and the interpretive exhibits are open 9 – 4 daily. They ask that you pay $ 3 when you enter the park. There is also an overnight camping option for $ 125. That’s not really my thing but I could see how it could be a lot of fun.

If you are going across the grapevine & like history is is a really nice stop to sttretch & rest or even have some snacks or lunch. It is an old Fort from the 1850’s that is being restored. It has some of the old buildings left & quite a few artifacts. DONT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS THAT Apple maps give you. It isn’t close to right. Take the exit off the grapevine & follow the signs. It’s right there!

Happy 4^th of July! We had a wonderful time. Well organized and a total family experience. The volunteers and staff were excellent. Thank you Fort Tejon Historical Society for putting this together!

Never been here before as long as I live in Kern County so Monday I stop by with the family. they have an honor system three dollars for adults and a dollar for kids pretty neat place they do have overnight camping there if you can get permits at the front restrooms there ample parking up front right off interstate five on the grapevine they also do reenactments of the Civil War days there from time to time I’m not sure what days or months they do it on

I love history, I love traveling … when I was 9 we stopped at Fort Tejon from a long trip form Sequoia Nt’l Park… it was a hot day & that hill from Grapevine was a pretty steep one. So we just stopped there and there was a Chevron Gas station before, then we drove to this parking lot and there it was, The Fort. A piece of history to be explored, got to see the well, the barracks, old ruins, and the famous Peter Lebeck’s burial site next to a huge Oak Tree. Used to be a $ 1.00 well now its $ 3.00 to see the fort. There is a public restroom, picnic area a little museum at the entrance. Now if you walk less than a ½ mile the is a Tombstone. Small place but a lot see, year after year going back you learn more and more of this place. Go and check this place out bring your kid’s, Oh ! there are Civil War reenactments, Dragoon’s and activities for the kids, just check the schedule when those days they are having those activities. Also there is a camping place for groups … You’ll love it.

A fascinating historic site, filled with uniforms and other artifacts, in a gorgeous setting. There were so many deer on the lawn and in the hills.

A beautiful setting for a rich piece of California history, Fort Tejon provides visitors with a flashback to the 1850s frontier. With a small creek running near the entrance and an abundance of deer roaming freely through the site, it’s easy to see why this place is worthy of preservation.
Walking the self-​guided trail around the former US Army post is easy for any able-​bodied individual and the remaining structures are living remnants of the beginnings of the Golden State. The barracks building and Captain’s residence are also filled with historic exhibit displaying life at the Fort and how soldiers, settlers and natives co-​existed in the rugged San Emigdio Mountains.
Stop by anytime you’re headed up or down the Grapevine for a historical blast from the past.

I love Fort Tejon. Great historic place to learn about California history, but there is so much more. Not only does the park have an interesting history, it is beautiful. There is an appeal of natural beauty and a sense of peacefulness. Even though it is just steps away from a busy freeway, one seems to get lost in its idyllic setting.
On the first Saturdays of the month year round, the parks volunteers and staff present living history programs that depict the parks history.

Fort Tejon SHP is off I-​5 South we stopped here on our way to Southern Calif. They have FREE parking out front, but they charge Per Person $ 3, no senior discount. You gotta bring exact amount because it’s Self-​Registration where you put your money in an envelope, take the top half & carry it with you, then put money envelope in the green post.
We went when there were students there on an overnight stay I think. They got to wear the army uniforms & do taste around the old fort.
We did the Self-​Guded Trail Dragoon Walk which is like 1 – 2 miles.
Saw:
Officers’ Quarters
Kitchens & mess Halls
Jail
Guardhouse
Junior Officers’ Qtrs
Peter Lebeck Grave
some Wells
It’s worth a stop if you have 1−2hrs to look around.
Hrs: 9am-​4pm

My fiancé and I attended a «ghost walk» (essentially a tour of the place with some creepy stories thrown in) here a few days before Halloween. The flyer advertised the «retelling of the gruesome death of Peter Lebec by grisly bear»… And then went on to call it «a family fun adventure.» Later that night as I stood in what used to be the soldiers’ barracks watching an actor writhe on a table with an apparent knife wound to the chest scream in pain, as his comrade looked on in horror while crying out «DOCTOR! SHIT! WHERE’S THE GOD DAMNED DOCTOR?!», it occurred to me that I’d be writing that in my review, and that the first time I’d ever write a full curse word on Unilocal would be to recount an event that the flyer advertised as fun for the family.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Aside from the ghost walk event, this place also serves as a sort of post civil war history museum… So, the event did include a fair amount of trivia about the grounds. They had some really neat stuff like giant kettles of water heating over a wood fire pit in the middle of everything, and button ring making (woo!). The funny part about all of it, though, was the tour commentary; some choice tidbits including:
— «Stuff like sanitation and Alcohol hadn’t been invented in the 1860s.»
— «Back then, this whole area was mostly a dirt field because they didn’t have lawn mowers.»
— «Bears are part shark.»
— «People used to die of dysentery, but not anymore.»
— «You had to bury people really fast in the olden days, otherwise their bodies would liquify all over the floor.»
Most of those are absolutely untrue. Except for the lawn mower bit (though I have a sneaking suspicion that wasn’t exactly the reason they didn’t have grass there)… and maybe the the part about the bear/​shark thing.
So, I mean, our tour guide might not have been completely abreast of all that is civil war era knowledge, but that’s fine. In fact, it arguably made the experience more fun. But wait! It got even better when the «ghost of Peter Lebec» showed up from behind the tree that he may or may not be buried under (there’s apparently been some debate), and told us his life story. Except, when pressed, he didn’t know what tribe he was from, or his mother’s name. He said he had only known her as «mother», and who am I to say if that was true or not? To be fair, and I don’t think I’m giving anything away when I say this, the guy was only an actor… And kudos to him for staying in character even when he couldn’t answer the completely irrelevant questions posed to him.
Anyway, the point is, it was awesome. Absolutely terrific, even.
In regards to the screaming man on the table in the barracks, well… I managed to watch with a blank, if wide eyed, stare. A toddler who, I’m assuming, was not yet quite observant enough to understand that this wasn’t a real death scene, but rather a just for fun one, began to cry. That was when we were shuffled to the last room of the tour, told one final chilling story about how the very place we stood was a veritable breeding ground for paranormal activity, and then asked to please enjoy the bake sale, and complimentary coffee and hot chocolate.
The fiancé and I had a very interesting and fun night, and I’d definitely go again, and with a lot more people.

Aside from being a regular pit stop off I-​5 at the top of the Grapevine Fort Tejon State Historic Park offers a great place to stop and have a picnic or a rest after a long trudge down I-​5. There are plenty of rest stops on the trip from North to South but this is a park, with fewer people, less noise and a much prettier view. If you are passing through (between 9 – 4) try to make the Fort Tejon State Historic Park stop on your journey.

It’s been a while since I’ve stopped here and I am reminded of the feelings of peacefulness looking at the trees and many plants beautifying the area. Clean restrooms.
A nice and relaxing place to stretch and power up before continuing with the long drive.

Very beautiful and they do have actors in old time clothing playing the rules that match the timeline.

Just stopped at Fort Tejon on the way to the Kern with 3 friends who had never been there. Everyone loved it, said it was the best historic stop of our trip. Earlier that day an educational event for the local school children was held, nice the kids have this in their community. The facilities were really nice and the park well kept. Scenic views, shade under 400 year old oaks and plenty of park benches to just sit and enjoy the views or a picnic lunch. Just outside the park were 3 deer. A lot of interesting facts about the history of both the fort and local area. Here is a good link with pictures and includes more informational links about Fort Tejon – I’d highly recommend a visit :)

Best spot on the Grapevine to hit the bathrooms!

when passing by Fort Tejon on the 5 it is always worth a stop. the location is beautiful, it is nice for a picnic and during the summer I love to dangle my feet in the cold water of the creek. Rest rooms, a fountain to fill your water bottle, and a place to walk and stretch out those legs from sitting too long!
If you time it right, they have civil ware reenactments here as well!