Fort Larned National Historic Site
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Fort Larned National Historic Site at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 1 day
- Don't miss
- Hike the Fort Larned History & Nature Trail
- Nearby city
- Larned, KS
Explore this park
About Fort Larned National Historic Site
Discover a complete and authentic army post from the 1860s -1870s! This well-preserved fort on the Santa Fe Trail shares a tumultuous history of the Indian Wars era. The sandstone constructed buildings sheltered troops who were known as the Guardians of the Santa Fe Trail.
Weather Information
Central Kansas has a four-season climate.
- Spring
and often last through early July.
- Fall
is variable but generally milder with showers changing to snow and ice later.
- Winter
Down to 40°F
Foehn winds blowing across the Great Plains from the Southwest periodically raise temperatures above 80F (27C). Unsettled warmer air, higher winds, and severe weather arrive Late summer days hover above 90F (32C) and readings over 100F (38C) are not uncommon.
Operating Hours
Park Grounds and Historic Buildings
Staff begin closing the grounds and visitor center at 4:30 p.m. The parking lot gate is closed and locked for the night at 5 p.m.
- Monday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Tuesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Wednesday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Thursday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Friday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Saturday8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Sunday8:30AM - 4:30PM
Common questions
Planning Fort Larned National Historic Site
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Fort Larned National Historic Site. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
