Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
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Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 hours to 1 day
- Don't miss
- Western National Parks Store at Bent's Old Fort
- Nearby city
- La Junta, CO
Explore this park
About 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. 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.
4 current NPS alerts
- Information: Guided Tours at the Reconstructed Fort
- Caution: Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort
- Caution: Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort
- +1 more in the Alerts tab
Source: National Park Service (as of Oct 31, 2026). Official Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site page on nps.gov
Weather Information
- Summer
temperatures are often in the high 90s and low 100s.
- Winter
temperatures can be below freezing.
Weather is generally fair in the fall and spring. Most of the replica fort is unheated and does not have modern cooling systems, so dress accordingly.
Operating Hours
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.
- Monday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Friday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM
Replica Fort
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.
- Monday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Friday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 4:00PM
Common questions
Planning Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Tours and Evening Candlelight Tour. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
