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
Alerts(6)
Do Not Handle Wildlife
If you see a dead bat or a bat acting strangely at the fort, please do not touch or move it. Report the location of the animal to park staff.
Beat the Heat!
NPS detailsMake sure to take weather into consideration when visiting. Carry water and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of heat injuries during your visit.
Guided Tours at the Reconstructed Fort
NPS detailsRegularly 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.
Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort
NPS detailsThe 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.
Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort
NPS detailsEntry 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.
A Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort
NPS detailsA 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.
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.
