Entry No. 44 — the Oklahoma City file — filed under: ghost tour
Fort Reno Historic Spirit Tours
Fort Reno's official lantern-lit Spirit Tours are a monthly event at this authentic 1874 cavalry post, taking guests by lantern light through the grounds before entering the WWII-era German POW-built chapel for a live paranormal investigation, then proceeding to the walled cemetery section holding German and Italian POW graves. The tour is run by Historic Fort Reno, Inc., requires reservations, and has confirmed upcoming dates in 2026.
The story
Established in 1874 as a cavalry post in Indian Territory, Fort Reno sits four miles west of downtown El Reno off Old Route 66. Its history took a stranger turn during World War II when the military repurposed the post into a prisoner-of-war camp holding German and Italian soldiers. Before the war ended, those Axis captives constructed a stone chapel with their own hands—a building that still stands on the prairie today, complete with their handiwork intact.
Rather than theatrical jump scares or costumed actors, the monthly Spirit Tours run by Historic Fort Reno, Inc. lean into heavy silence and historic dark. You're handed a lantern and guided on foot across the old post grounds while guides share stories of unsolved frontier murders. The route leads directly into the German POW chapel for an active electronic voice phenomena (EVP) session and live paranormal investigation, before finishing late at night inside the walled POW cemetery among the graves of foreign soldiers.
What it's like
Do not lag on Route 66: the fort gate closes at 6:30 PM sharp, and if you aren't inside, you're locked out. Once through the gate, follow the access road roughly a mile and a half north to check in at the Visitor Center. The tour is strictly 12-and-up, mostly outdoors, and moves over rough historic dirt and stone in near-total darkness. Pack a reliable flashlight, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, and bring thick layers—when night settles over the open post grounds, the prairie wind bites hard. Call 405-262-3987 well in advance to reserve your spot, and fuel up on a famous fried-onion burger in downtown El Reno before heading out to the gate.
The move: Reserve spots (required, 405-262-3987) for a monthly evening tour — arrive by 6:30 PM as the gate closes then. You'll walk the fort grounds by lantern light listening to unsolved-murder lore, participate in an EVP session and live paranormal investigation inside the German POW-built chapel, then finish at the walled POW cemetery section for late-night ghost stories among the headstones.
📍 Before you go Fort Reno sits about four miles west of downtown El Reno along Old Route 66; the actual grounds and Visitor Center are set roughly a mile and a half north of the highway entrance, so follow the signs in rather than expecting it at the gate. Check in at the Visitor Center, where the lantern walk to the chapel and walled cemetery begins on foot. These run as evening events on a small number of dates, so book ahead and expect a 12-and-up crowd. Bring a flashlight, water, and closed walking shoes, and layer up; temperatures drop hard after sunset and the route is mostly outdoors over uneven historic ground. Pair it with one of El Reno's famous fried-onion burgers downtown beforehand.
- 📍 El Reno
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 7107 W. Cheyenne St., El Reno, OK 73036
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Yukon Czech Hall — Pair a night of dark prairie military history with an authentic Saturday night polka dance at this 1899 Czech lodge 17 miles east.
- A Little Hokus Pokus — Browse tarot decks and oddities at this Mustang metaphysical boutique on your drive west toward El Reno.
- Riversport Full Moon Kayak Paddle — Double up on monthly after-dark regional outings by booking a full-moon evening kayak trip on Lake Overholser.
Good to know
How do I make reservations for the tour?
You must call Historic Fort Reno at 405-262-3987 in advance to reserve a spot, as walk-ins aren't permitted after the gates lock.
Where do I go once I arrive at the fort entrance?
Turn north off the highway entrance and drive roughly 1.5 miles up the road into the fort grounds to reach the Visitor Center check-in area.
What is the age limit and what should I wear?
Tours are restricted to ages 12 and older. Wear sturdy closed walking shoes for uneven ground, bring a flashlight, and wear extra layers for cold evening winds.
What happens during the investigation inside the chapel?
Guides take lantern-lit groups inside the WWII German POW chapel to run live EVP audio monitoring and conduct a real-time paranormal investigation in the dark.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · travelok.com · waze.com
last checked: 2026-06-07