Colorado National Parks
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

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Experience Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Colorado

Bent's Old Fort Historic Site

Winter Snow at Bent's Old Fort

Before the Rockies rise over the western horizon, southeastern Colorado offers a doorway into the state's rugged frontier past awaits. At Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, families step into the 1840s; step back in time to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Santa Fe Trail life bursting alive as kids and grown-ups embrace a working trading post adventure.

FUN FACT: Built in 1833 as Fort William by brothers William and Charles Bent plus Ceran St. Vrain, it anchored their trade empire on the Arkansas River's northern bank.

This prime riverside spot drew fur trappers from the Rockies, Cheyenne and Arapaho for buffalo hunts and trade, and weary Santa Fe caravans craving repairs, supplies, and rest. While the Arkansas (locally Known as “The Big River”) provided vital water across arid plains. Pre-1848, its US-Mexico border perch fueled commerce and diplomacy. As the only major outpost between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, it became the beating heart of trade, travel, and cultural exchange across the high plains.

The original adobe walls faded as the Santa Fe Trail waned and railroads reshaped the economy. Today's 1976 reconstruction, a National Historic Site and Landmark, stands on that very spot, inviting immersive living-history in bustling courtyards and expansive pastures.

Rangers in period garb chop wood, stoke fires, and share tales while families wander blacksmith shops, watch oxen graze, or climb watchtowers for sweeping views. Be sure to catch the short film on fort life and then borrow a self-guided tour booklets (keep as a souvenir for $2) explore the fort to decode furnished rooms and daily life.

PRO-TIP: Traveling with kids? They'll love earning the Junior Ranger badge through active discovery quests that bring history to life. Download the booklet ahead of your trip. They'll look forward to the thrill of blacksmith demos and ox-watching before claiming their badge!

Fun Things To Do - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Trade Room

Cooking Demo

Living History Demonstrations: Watch costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, cooking, and trading, or interact with period livestock like oxen and chickens for an immersive 1840s Old West experience.

Junior Ranger Program: Kids complete age-appropriate activities with maps, mazes, and questions about fort life, to earn a badge upon completion (ideal for ages 5+ and takes about an hour).

Buffalo Loop Trail: Families love this easy 1-mile loop winding through native prairie grasses just beyond the fort walls. Spot wild turkeys, deer tracks, or grazing bison (reintroduced nearby) while reading interpretive signs about Plains tribes and Santa Fe Trail travelers. Plan 30 to 45 minute stroll to take in the big-sky views, let your kids lead.

Know Before You Go - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

The admission fee covers everyone in your vehicle.
Plan 3-4 hours to enjoy the film, guided tour, trails, and kids' programs. The perfect day trip when vacationing in La Junta, Fowler, Las Animas, and Lamar Colorado.
Daily Guided Tours run June 1 through Labor Day; check the latest schedule on the park's calendar.
Kids' programs like Junior Ranger and Kids' Quarters are included with your visit.
Dress for the sun and dirt: hats, sunscreen, walking shoes, and a bottle of water.

PRO-TIP: Beat the afternoon sun with a refreshing morning stroll on the Buffalo Loop Trail, enjoy a picnic under the big prairie sky, and then wander into Bent's Old Fort for a day of adventure and living history.

A few helpful thoughts. . . Before stepping inside the fort, pop into the visitor center to catch a short film that sets the scene and explore exhibits that bring the fort's history to life. You'll also find restrooms, a rustic gift shop with local souvenirs, easy parking, and shady benches for a quick rest before exploring the loop trail. Most lower rooms and walkways are wheelchair-accessible, while upper floors are narrower and best enjoyed from below.

Summer Hours: 8am to 5:30pm (April-September).

Winter Hours: 9am to 4pm (October-March).

Downloads

View an area road map of Bent's Old Fort
(Map provided by the U.S. National Park Service)

View a floor plan of Bent's Old Fort
(Map provided by the U.S. National Park Service)

Location and Driving Directions - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

LOCATION: Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site is in southeastern Colorado between La Junta and Las Animas, just off US Highway 50 and State Highway 194.

ADDRESS: 35110 State Highway 194, La Junta, CO 81050

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Denver International Airport (DEN), take Peña Blvd east to I-70 east, stay in the right lane, and take exit 282 onto I-25 south; keep left while merging onto US-50 east to La Junta, then CO-109 north to CO-194 east to the fort. From Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), take US-50 east about 75 miles to CO-109 north (1 mile), then CO-194 east 6 miles to the fort.

From La Junta: Take US Highway 50 east, then go north on Highway 109 (under a mile) to Highway 194. Turn east and follow it about 6 miles to the fort.

From Fowler: Take US Highway 50 east about 16 miles, turn south on Highway 109 to Highway 194, then east about 6 miles to the fort.

From Las Animas: Take US Highway 50 west to Highway 194, then about 13 miles west to the fort.

From Lamar: Take US Highway 50 west about 50 miles, turn south on Highway 194, then go about 6 miles to the fort.

DRIVE TIMES: 10 minutes from La Junta, CO. 20 minutes from Las Animas, CO. 25 minutes from Fowler, CO. 60 minutes from Lamar, CO. 2-1/2 hours from Pueblo, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. 3 hours Denver, CO. 5-1/2 hours from Wichita, KS, and Amarillo, TX. 7 hours from Albuquerque, NM; Oklahoma City, OK; and Grand Junction, CO.

Commercial Air Travel Accommodations are handled by Denver International Airport (DEN) aka "DIA" (3 hours from Bent's Old Fort), and Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB) (90 minutes from Bent's Old Fort). Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements.

Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do

Fowler RV Park Photos on page icon

A family friendly RV park in Fowler on Colorado’s eastern plains off Highway 50. Pool next door. Sightsee in Pueblo, La Junta, and Colorado Springs. Explore Bent’s Old Fort and Vogel Canyon’s dinosaur tracks.

La Junta KOA: RV Sites, Camping Cabins, Tiny Home, Tenting & Camper Trailer Photos on page icon

Straddling the Santa Fe Trail, this high plains KOA is on the western edge of La Junta. Stay in a camping cabin, tiny home, full hookup RV sites, tenting site. KAMP K9, summer pool, WI-FI. Near Bent's Old Fort.