Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Designation: National Historic Site
Location: Colorado
š Park Overview
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.
š¤ Weather Information
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 fort is unheated and does not have modern cooling systems, so dress accordingly.
š Directions
The park is accessed via U.S. Highway 50 and Highway 194. 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.
Images
Horse and Mule in the Plaza
Credit: NPS Photo
For much of its 16-year history, the fort was the only major permanent white settlement on the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and the Mexican settlements.
Credit: NPS Photo
Boxes and Furs in the Plaza.
Credit: NPS Photo
For much of its 16-year history, the fort was the only major permanent white settlement on the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and the Mexican settlements.
Credit: NPS Photo
Trade Room beads
Credit: NPS Photo
Bent's Old Fort at night
Credit: NPS Photo
For much of its 16-year history, the fort was the only major permanent white settlement on the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and the Mexican settlements.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Past and Future at Bent's Old Fort
Credit: NPS Photo
Pack saddles are at the ready.
Credit: NPS Photo
The trade room catered to trappers, traders, the fort's labor force, and travelers from the ranks of soldiers, explorers, and adventurers.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Aug 19
Sunny
High: 92.4Ā°F | Low: 65.9Ā°F
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 27.7 mph
Rain Chance: 60%
UV Index: 10.3
Sunrise: 06:12 AM
Sunset: 07:42 PM
Moon: First Quarter (48%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 70Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 60%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Aug 20
Sunny
High: 95.6Ā°F | Low: 69.4Ā°F
Humidity: 46%
Wind: 13.9 mph
Rain Chance: 57%
UV Index: 10.2
Sunrise: 06:13 AM
Sunset: 07:40 PM
Moon: First Quarter (58%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 70.4Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 57%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Aug 21
Sunny
High: 97.7Ā°F | Low: 73.3Ā°F
Humidity: 32%
Wind: 12.8 mph
Rain Chance: 3%
UV Index: 10.1
Sunrise: 06:14 AM
Sunset: 07:39 PM
Moon: First Quarter (69%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 70.8Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 3%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Padre Martinez: Patriot, Villain, or Scapegoat?
Location: This presentation will be offered at 2:00 p.m. in the Ed Stafford Theater at Otero College. The Ed Stafford Theatre is located at 1802 Colorado Ave. in La Junta, Colorado. It is situated in the Humanities Center at Otero College.
Date: Feb 27, 2026 12:00am to Feb 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: Spanish and Mexican Land Grants in New Mexico and Southeast Colorado.
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
As always, visitors should be prepared for the weather. Water, dressing in layers, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.Ā
Location: There is a one quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the fort. Bentās Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas.
Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to Mar 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: Spanish and Mexican Land Grants in New Mexico and Southeast Colorado.
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
Location: Woodruff Memorial Library, La Junta, CO.
Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to Mar 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: The Other Republic: Mexico from 1821-1846
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
As always, visitors should be prepared for the weather. Water, dressing in layers, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.Ā
Location: There is a one quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the fort. Bentās Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas.
Date: Mar 28, 2026 12:00am to Mar 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: The Other Republic: Mexico from 1821-1846
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
Location: Woodruff Memorial Library, La Junta, CO.
Date: Mar 28, 2026 12:00am to Mar 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Fort Open to Plaza Access
The public is invited inside the reconstruction of Bentās 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.
Date: Apr 1, 2026 12:00am to Oct 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Tour
Take a tour with a Park Ranger to learn more about Bent's Old Fort.Ā 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.Ā
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.
Date: Apr 1, 2026 12:00am to Oct 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: Los Capitalistas: Hispanic Merchants on the Santa Fe Trail
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
Location: Woodruff Memorial Library, La Junta, CO.
Date: Apr 4, 2026 12:00am to Apr 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: Los Capitalistas: Hispanic Merchants on the Santa Fe Trail
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
As always, visitors should be prepared for the weather. Water, dressing in layers, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.Ā
Location: There is a one quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the fort. Bentās Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas.
Date: Apr 4, 2026 12:00am to Apr 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Stories from the Borderlands Lecture Series: Charles Bentās Activities in New Mexico prior to the U.S./Mexican War
āStories from the Borderlandsā are featured programs offered monthly. Each will be held at the reconstructed fort and the Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta and last 45 minutes, exploring a different facet of the Fortās story.
As always, visitors should be prepared for the weather. Water, dressing in layers, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.Ā
Location: There is a one quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the fort. Bentās Old Fort National Historic Site is located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas.
Date: Apr 25, 2026 12:00am to Apr 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
35110 State Highway 194
La Junta, CO 81050
š¤ Mailing Address:
35110 State Highway 194
La Junta, CO 81050
š Voice Phone: 719 383-5010
āļø Email: beol_interpretation@nps.gov