A fire truck standing upright will get me to pull over. Near Kadoka, South Dakota, I spotted several old trucks scattered across the prairie, with aliens working among them. I pulled the 4Runner into Firehenge to see what they were building.
Fire Trucks in Every Direction
Firehenge takes its name from Stonehenge, but the builders worked with retired fire trucks instead of stone. Some sit on their wheels. Others rise from the ground at angles that make you stop and look twice. There’s an airplane above the display, too.
Firehouse Brewing Company owner Bob Fuchs created the attraction from his collection of firefighting vehicles. I appreciated that someone had looked at all those old trucks and decided the prairie needed a few standing on end. South Dakota.
The yellow truck caught my eye first. Then I started noticing the smaller details around the site, including the alien figures. At that point, Roy’s interest in the stop made a little more sense.
Roy Had His Own Reasons to Stop
The aliens added another layer to the stop for me. Roy had worked with a crew in Nevada, and I thought that was the end of it. At Firehenge, I found him by the fence near the trucks, looking far too familiar with the new crew.
He tried on a fire helmet, climbed into one of the old trucks, and settled in beside the bell while I walked around taking photos. At first, I thought he was just enjoying the truck. Then he rang the bell in a little pattern, paused, and looked over toward the aliens. One of them stood near the plane, and Roy rang it again.
I can’t prove he was sending a message. Yet a few minutes later, he was measuring the 4Runner’s roof rack. I kept the keys with me for the rest of the visit.
Rex Found Doghenge
Firehenge also has Doghenge: a circle of fire hydrants arranged in a peace sign. The attraction welcomes dogs, so Rex got a stop of his own while we walked the grounds. The official site asks visitors to keep dogs under control and clean up after them.
Rex explored the prairie while I looked at the trucks and kept an eye on Roy. That’s a fair division of labor for this crew.
Planning a Stop at Firehenge
Firehenge is near Kadoka, South Dakota, along I-90. The attraction lists its address as 23166 245th St, Kadoka, SD 57543. It opens seasonally from May through September, with regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain time, weather permitting. Admission currently costs $10 plus tax per vehicle, and you buy tickets at the gate. Check the Firehenge website before you go, since hours and prices can change.
You can make it a quick photo stop or take your time walking around. I’d allow a little extra time if you travel with a dog—or a skeleton who might know the aliens.
Explore More
Every route brings something different. Nature walks, small-town discoveries, unexpected stops, and moments from the road. Read more of my travel stories and follow what Rex and I discover along the way.
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