Located along the river, Bent's Fort was an adobe trading post on the Santa Fe Trail, where traders, trappers, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes came together in peaceful terms for trade. Today, a reconstructed fort allows visitors to explore the front line of Westward Expansion.
Photo: NPS/D. Ocheltree
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
In the 1840s the Arkansas River was the border between territory claimed by the United States and Mexico.
- LocationLa Junta, CO
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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Weather now77°F Sunny
- Alerts 4 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Animals
- Archeology
- Architecture and Building
- Climate Change
- Colonization and Settlement
- Commerce
- Enslavement
- Forts
12 more topics
- Grasslands
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Mexican War
- Military
- Native American Heritage
- Prairies
- River and Riparian
- Trade
- Tribal Conflicts
- US Army
- Wars and Conflicts
- Westward Expansion
Alerts (4)
CautionCapacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort The design of the reconstructed fort fails to meet accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements of 1976. A lack of… Read more
The design of the reconstructed fort fails to meet accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements of 1976. A lack of code compliant components such as emergency lighting, illuminated exit signage, panic hardware on doors, and outwardly swinging exit doors results in a limitation of 49 occupants for visitor operations within the reconstructed fort.
CautionPlaza Access to Reconstructed Fort Entry into the reconstructed fort is limited to the central plaza on scheduled days. For your safety respect all closure… Read more
Entry into the reconstructed fort is limited to the central plaza on scheduled days. For your safety respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access into additional areas.
InformationGuided Tours at the Reconstructed Fort Regularly scheduled guided tours provide access into furnished rooms and explore the fort’s role in Westward Expansion a… Read more
Regularly scheduled guided tours provide access into furnished rooms and explore the fort’s role in Westward Expansion and the reconstruction of the fort in 1976.
InformationA Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort A 1/4 mile (1,275 feet) walk on a paved trail from the parking area is required to reach the gate of the fort. At the en… Read more
A 1/4 mile (1,275 feet) walk on a paved trail from the parking area is required to reach the gate of the fort. At the end of your visit, you'll return to your vehicle along the same path.
Things to Do
7 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Become a Junior Ranger at Bent's Old Fort
Fee applies
Upon your arrival at the fort, request a Junior Ranger booklet from a park ranger. Tour the fort and grounds while completing the booklet according to your skill level. Take your completed book to a…
Learn more about Become a Junior Ranger at Bent's Old Fort on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Birdwatching at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Fee applies
Birdwatching can be a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. Seventy-two species of birds are currently documented at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. The park has a Bird Check List…
Learn more about Birdwatching at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Guided Tours of Bent's Old Fort
Take a tour with a Park Ranger to learn more about Bent's Old Fort. Tours are limited to fifteen participants and will explore the historic use of the site and the reconstruction of the fort in the…
Learn more about Guided Tours of Bent's Old Fort on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Hiking along the Arkansas River
Fee applies
Visitors can hike a 1.75 mile trail that winds its way through the cottonwood trees alongside the wetlands and the Arkansas River. Interpretive exhibit panels explain the further significance of this…
Learn more about Hiking along the Arkansas River on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Plaza Access in the Fort
The public is invited inside the reconstruction of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20th…
Learn more about Plaza Access in the Fort on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Trail to History
Fee applies
The entrance to the reconstructed fort is gained from the one-quarter mile paved pathway extending from the shade shelter to the fort doors. The pathway is wheelchair accessible; however, the…
Learn more about Trail to History on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Western National Parks Store at Bent's Old Fort
The park store is operated by Western National Parks, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Bent's Old Fort National Historic…
Learn more about Western National Parks Store at Bent's Old Fort on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 7 of 7
All 17 activities in the park
Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Biking
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Arts and Culture
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Craft Demonstrations
- Cultural Demonstrations
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Show 5 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find tours, tickets, visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Tours & Tickets
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Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Tours
Ticket Facility
Book tickets on Recreation.gov 35110 State Highway 194, La Junta, CO 719-383-5023
Visitor Centers
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Information Center
Visitor Center
The information center is located at the visitor parking area, immediately next to the restrooms and orientation shelter. It provides orientation materials and has a…
35110 State Highway 194, La Junta, CO Directions
Details
The information center is located at the visitor parking area, immediately next to the restrooms and orientation shelter. It provides orientation materials and has a Western National Park Store. The information center maintains the same hours as the park, however this facility closes from 11:30-noon for lunch.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Hours by area (2)
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Bent's Old Fort National Historic SiteDaily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
The park grounds are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on New Year's Day, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington's Birthday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During the off-season [October-March annually], the grounds are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for the holidays listed above. Plaza access into the reconstructed fort is on a separate schedule—see the event calendar for hours of operation on scheduled plaza access days.
Monday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM -
Replica FortToday: Closed
Five days a week the public is invited inside the 1976 replica of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20th century reconstruction. Entry into the replica fort is limited to the central plaza, except on guided tours, due to safety issues. For your safety, respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access to some furnished spaces.
Monday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Tuesday Closed Wednesday Closed Thursday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
35110 State Highway 194La Junta, CO 81050
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
77°F
Sunny · feels like 68°
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Today
80° 63°
Sunny1% rain
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Tomorrow
78° 55°
Sunny17% rain
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Thursday
54° 45°
Sunny10% rain
Updated 2 hr ago
What to expect by season
Summer temperatures are often in the high 90s and low 100s. Weather is generally fair in the fall and spring. Winter temperatures can be below freezing. Most of the replica fort is unheated and does not have modern cooling systems, so dress accordingly.
Upcoming Events
3 coming up-
Fort Open to Plaza Access
About
The public is invited inside the reconstruction of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20th century reconstruction. Entry into the reconstructed fort is limited to the central plaza, except on guided tours. For your safety, respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access into additional areas.
Access to the reconstructed fort is restricted due to safety issues stemming from nearly 50 years of use and deficiencies in the 1970s design and construction of the Fort. Park staff conducted stabilization work in the spring of 2025 and continue to monitor the condition of the structure for further change.
A water fountain and public restrooms are located at the visitor parking area. The reconstructed fort does not have these services available currently due to safety restrictions.
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Guided Tour
About
Take a tour with a Park Ranger to learn more about Bent's Old Fort. Each tour lasts approximately forty-five minutes and begins in the plaza. Tours are limited to fifteen participants and will explore the historic use of the site and the reconstruction of the fort in the 1970s.
A water fountain and public restrooms are located at the visitor parking area. The reconstructed fort does not have these services available currently due to safety restrictions.
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The Business of Bison
About
Living Historians will portray Bent, St. Vrain and Co. Traders from the 1840s and Hide Hunters from the 1860s/70s. The Southern Plains Land Trust will set up a station to discuss modern bison conservation efforts; in addition, programming and Historic Weapons Demonstrations will be presented by Park Staff.
Photos
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Boxes and Furs in the Plaza. — NPS Photo -
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3 more photos
Getting There
La Junta, CO 81050
The park is accessed via U.S. Highway 50 and Highway 194.
Full directions
From La Junta, Colorado on U.S. Highway 50, take Colorado Highway 109 north 1 mile to Colorado Highway 194, then east on Colorado Highway 194 six miles to the fort. From Las Animas, Colorado, on U.S. Highway 50, take Colorado Highway 194 west 13 miles. Set your GPS to 35110 State Highway 194 E., La Junta, CO.
Mailing address: 35110 State Highway 194, La Junta, CO 81050
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