[3] Ranikhet, which means Queen's Meadow[4] in Kumaoni, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev, a Katyuri ruler, won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet,[5] though no palace exists in the area.

Ranikhet had been under Nepalese rule after the Nepalese invasion of Kumaon and Doti in 1790, and the Kumaonis won it under the leadership of their able General Kashi Nath Adhikari – after whom the small town of Kashipur was named (which at one point of time was the gateway to the hills and is now an educational and institutional hub) – with the help of British at around 1816 and is a part of India now.

It continued till 1839, when the army offices were shifted to Almora Cantonment and the troops were stationed at Lohaghat and Pithoragarh so as to enable them to effectively monitor the Indo-Nepal Border.

However, a local rebellion in 1846 resulted in the removal of military camp from Lohaghat and the troops were transferred back to Hawalbagh where they remained stationed until the establishment of another permanent Cantonment at Ranikhet.

In 1868, this site was selected for the residence of British soldiers, and the following year a cantonment was formed here after acquiring land from the villagers of Sarna, Kotli and Tana on a compensation of Rs 13,024.

In 1869,[9] the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment[2] as well as pargana Pali here and used the station as a retreat from the heat of the Indian summer.

These forests had been brought under an action plan by 1887,[10] although they continued to be managed under then-prevalent cantonment laws and regulations until 1915.

According to this proposal, six blocks, five tehsils, 1309 revenue villages, 59 justice panchayats and 120 patwari areas were to be included in Ranikhet district.

The western narrow strips and eastern part of Ranikhet are comparatively high and covered with a dense forest mainly of pine.

[19] Ranikhet is nestled in the sylvan surroundings inhabited by pine (Pinus roxburghii), oak (Quercus), buransh (Rhododendron arboreum) and deodar (Deodar Cedar) forests that host a large variety of fauna, such as leopards, rhesus monkeys, pine martens, Himalayan langur, dhole, rabbits, barking deer, sambar, and more.

[19] In 1881, when the first edition of The Imperial Gazetteer of India was published, Ranikhet had a population of 5,984, and the city was home to 3,313 Hindus, 1,090 Muslims, and 1,573 Europeans.

The museum also showcases medals and uniforms of the soldiers and stories of the First and the Second Param Vir Chakra winners, and all the Army Generals who belonged to the Kumaon Regiment.

Other tourist places in the cantonment include the Ashiyana Park, which was specially designed & developed for children.

The Rani Jheel, located near Nar Singh Stadium, is a man-made lake, where tourists can enjoy boat rides.

The Binsar Mahadev Temple is situated close to a stream amidst beautiful pine and deodar trees.

The Bhalu Dam, located near Chaubatia is a man-made lake that supplies drinking water to Ranikhet Town.

Tarikhet is located at a distance of 8 kilometres (5 mi) from Ranikhet Cantt, and is well known for its Gandhi Kuti, and the temple of Golu Devata.

It is located at a distance of 12 km from Ranikhet and offers a close view of the snowy Himalayas with peaceful surroundings.

There are some more places nearby which can be visited like Chaubatia, Dwarahat, Kausani, Chaukhutia, Majhkhali, Naina Gaon, Jalali, Barakham, Doonagiri, Naithna, Masi and Pali.