Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Designation: National Historic Site
Location: Wyoming
📘 Park Overview
Originally established as a private fur trading fort in 1834, Fort Laramie evolved into the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains before its abandonment in 1890. This “grand old post” witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance to encroachment on their territories.
🌤 Weather Information
Fort Laramie summer days can be quite hot (over 100F/37C), average highs are in the 80s and 90s (30-35C) with cool nights and low humidity. Winters are often bitterly cold and windy with subzero wind chills. The region is semi-arid with a distinct winter dry season. About 70% of annual precipitation falls as thunderstorms during the spring and early summer. Breezy days are common year-round and peak in the winter when wind speeds can approach hurricane-strength.
🚗 Directions
The park is located in southeast Wyoming approximately 125 miles southeast of Casper, 100 miles north of Cheyenne and 55 miles west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. From Interstate 25, take exit 92 to US Highway 26, proceed east to the town of Fort Laramie; turn right on State Route 160 and travel three miles to the park entrance. From westbound US 26, proceed west from Scottsbluff, Nebraska to the town of Fort Laramie; turn left on State Route 160 and continue three miles to the park entrance.
Images
Oldest Building in the State of Wyoming.
Credit: Chase Swift Photography/Chase Swift
A fall view of the parade ground from "Old Bedlam" the oldest surviving structure at Fort Laramie and in the state of Wyoming, constructed in 1849.
Credit: NPS Photo
In the summer living history interpreters bring the post to life, including the Post Trader in the refurnished 1849 store.
Credit: Chase Swift Photography/Chase Swift
Special attention is given to helping our young visitors understand the past at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.
Credit: NPS Photo
Overview of Fort Laramie as it exists today with many of the historic buildings fully restored and refurnished and numerous other ruins and foundations.
Credit: John Gilpin
Tipis were a common scene at Fort Laramie from 1834-1872. At times, during treaty negotiations dozens of tipis could be found here.
Credit: Mike Evans/NPS Photo
Fall colors paint the parade grounds near Old Bedlam.
Credit: NPS Photo
Ruins of the powder magazine within the winter snows.
Credit: NPS Photo
Morning fog north of Fort Laramie
Credit: NPS Photo
Riding past the Cavalry Barracks
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Sep 2
Sunny
High: 90.9°F | Low: 58.8°F
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 22.4 mph
Rain Chance: 36%
UV Index: 8.3
Sunrise: 06:24 AM
Sunset: 07:30 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (60%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 60.7°F
Cloud Cover: 36%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Sep 3
Sunny
High: 90.6°F | Low: 61°F
Humidity: 25%
Wind: 22.8 mph
Rain Chance: 36%
UV Index: 7.8
Sunrise: 06:25 AM
Sunset: 07:29 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (50%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 60.5°F
Cloud Cover: 36%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Sep 4
Sunny
High: 96.5°F | Low: 61.8°F
Humidity: 21%
Wind: 23 mph
Rain Chance: 2%
UV Index: 8
Sunrise: 06:26 AM
Sunset: 07:27 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (39%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.1°F
Cloud Cover: 2%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Evening Campfire Ranger Program and Lantern Open House
Join us at Fort Laramie National Historic Site for an after hours event to celebrate Memorial Day! We will be hosting a ranger program by the fire and the public will be welcome to join them and learn about the history of Memorial Day and how Fort Laramie has been memorialized. Follwoing the campfire program the public will be able to explore the historic buildings lit up by lantern light.
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to May 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Memorial Day 1870s Celebration
On May 23rd, Fort Laramie will host Memorial Day celebrations focused on the years of the 1870s. There will be ranger programs throughout the day, cannon firings, rifle firings, and living historians throughout the buildings. We will highlight the history of how the United States celebrated this day at Fort Laramie and throughout the country. A special ceremony will take place at 2:00pm.
Location: Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Date: May 23, 2026 12:00am to May 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Bat Night at Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Come visit the fort in the eveing to see the bats emerage from their slumber and take to the sky! Beforehand there will be progaming for the public so visitors can understand more about bats, bat scientists, and how Fort Laramie has been home for bats for a long time.
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pioneer Arrival Day
The Pioneer Arrival Day will highlight the history of the Oregon, Califorina, and Mormon Trails. There will ranger programs throughout the day that highlight different history aspects of the trails. There will be kids activites and living historians throughout the park. There also will be weapon firings and other demostrations.
Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
150th Anniversary of the Great Sioux War
On Saturday June 20th we will be having ranger programs specifically about the summer of 1876 and Fort Laramie's role in the Great Sioux War. Cannon and rifle demostrations will be throughout the day along with other soldier demostrations.
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Thunder on the Plains: An Evening Cannon Demonstration
Celebrate the eve of Independence Day at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Starting at 8:00pm, we will be conducting several cannon demonstrations as the sun sets and darkness turns at the fort. The event is free and welcome to all visitors.
Location: Located at the parade grounds of the fort.
Date: Jul 3, 2026 12:00am to Jul 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Thunder on the Plains: Celebrating America's 250th
On Friday eveing July 3rd, the cannons will roar from Fort Laramie in celebration for the America's 250th Birthday. Please join us for amazing pictures at sunset of the Grand Old Post and a night time cannon demostration.
Date: Jul 3, 2026 12:00am to Jul 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
250th Independence Day Celebration at Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Come out to the old Fort Laramie for its annual July 4th Celebration! Kids games, vintage baseball, Pony Express, a 36 gun salute and so much more!
Starting at
9:30am: MILITARY FLAG RAISING AND CANNON FIRING
10:00am: Wyoming 250th Photograph Exhibit Presentation by Donovin Sprague
10:00am: HISTORIC GAMES: Sack Races and 50-Yard Dash.
11:00am: Kim Merchant Music
12:00pm: NATIONAL SALUTE (38 Gun Salute & Cannon Firing)
12:30pm: History of July 4th Celebrations
1:00pm: HISTORIC VINTAGE BASEBALL GAME
2:00pm: Pony Express
3:00pm: CHEYENNE TROTTERS EQUESTRIAN DRILL TEAM
3:30pm: Paul Hedren Presentation/Book Signing
4:30pm: Kim Merchant Music
4:30pm: JUNIOR SOLDIERS DRILL (ages 7-12)
5:15pm: RETREAT PARADE AND CANNON FIRING
Date: Jul 4, 2026 12:00am to Jul 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Astronomy Night
Come join professors and park rangers in a night to explore the night sky! A program will begin at 8:30, with night sky viewing to follow late into the night!
Date: Jul 11, 2026 12:00am to Jul 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
CCC Weekend: History of the Fort after the Military
The fort will be alive with the CCC boys working throughout the historic buildings. Hear stoires of their lives, take an archoelogy tour, learn about the communities that were created from the end of Fort Laramie and the Buffalo Soliders.
Date: Jul 17, 2026 12:00am to Jul 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
965 Gray Rocks Road
Fort Laramie, WY 82212
🏤 Mailing Address:
965 Gray Rocks Road
Fort Laramie, WY 82212
📞 Voice Phone: 3078372221
📞 Fax Phone: 3078372120
✉️ Email: FOLA_Visitor_Information@nps.gov