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.
Photo: NPS Photo
Fort Larned National Historic Site
Discover a complete and authentic army post from the 1860s -1870s!
- LocationLarned, KS
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
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Weather now63°F Sunny
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- African American Heritage
- Architecture and Building
- Commerce
- Forts
- Grasslands
- Hispanic American Heritage
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Indigenous and Native Warrior
9 more topics
- Infantry and Militia
- Latino American Heritage
- Military
- Native American Heritage
- Prairies
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Trade
- Transportation
- Wars and Conflicts
Things to Do
8 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Fort Larned Living History
Fort Larned staff and volunteers help bring the fort to life during the summer with our living history programs.
Learn more about Fort Larned Living History on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Fort Larned Visitor Center
The Fort Larned Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Learn more about Fort Larned Visitor Center on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Hike the Fort Larned History & Nature Trail
There was more to Fort Larned than the sandstone buildings left standing today. Beyond the Parade Ground was a complex of stables and corrals, along with the mail station that brought the Army here…
Learn more about Hike the Fort Larned History & Nature Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Picnic at Fort Larned
Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of your visit to Fort Larned!
Learn more about Picnic at Fort Larned on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
See Santa Fe Trail Ruts
See the evidence of the passage of hundreds of wagons over the Santa Fe Trail. Tracks like these are the only reminders of a once important trade route through the Southwest.
Learn more about See Santa Fe Trail Ruts on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Tour Fort Larned with a Ranger
Reservation required
The best way to see the fort. Check on availability when you arrive.
Learn more about Tour Fort Larned with a Ranger on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Tour Fort Larned's Original Sandstone Buildings
See the original, restored sandstone buildings of a 19th century Indian Wars era fort.
Learn more about Tour Fort Larned's Original Sandstone Buildings on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Visit the Fort Larned Blacksmith
See a blacksmith practice his art in the Fort Larned blacksmith shop.
Learn more about Visit the Fort Larned Blacksmith on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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All 11 activities in the park
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Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Fort Larned Visitor Center
Facility
Located in one of the two historic barracks buildings, the park's Visitor Center features a bookstore with a wide variety of books on Army life, the Plains Indians and…
Larned, KS (620) 285-6911 Directions
Details
Located in one of the two historic barracks buildings, the park's Visitor Center features a bookstore with a wide variety of books on Army life, the Plains Indians and the Santa Fe Trail. Exhibits in the museum tell the stories of the westward expansion of the United States government, international commerce, and conflicts affecting the American Indians, traders, soldiers, and Indian agents in and around Fort Larned.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Park Grounds and Historic Buildings
Hours details
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Park Grounds and Historic BuildingsDaily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
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.
Monday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Tuesday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Wednesday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Thursday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Saturday 8:30AM - 4:30PM Sunday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
63°F
Sunny · feels like 58°
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Today
64° 49°
Sunny6% rain
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Tomorrow
73° 49°
Sunny4% rain
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Sunday
71° 58°
Sunny4% rain
Updated 34 min ago
What to expect by season
Central Kansas has a four-season climate. Winter tends to be cold and dry, with average daytime highs below 40F (4C). 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 in the spring and often last through early July. Late summer days hover above 90F (32C) and readings over 100F (38C) are not uncommon. Fall is variable but generally milder with showers changing to snow and ice later.
Upcoming Events
2 coming up-
Candlelight Tour at Fort Larned NHS
About
Reservations required, more information coming soon.
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Christmas Past at Fort Larned
About
More details coming soon.
Photos
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The blacksmith demonstration is one of the most popular living history demonstrations. — NPS Photo -
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Getting There
Larned, KS 67550
Fort Larned National Historic Site is located on KS Hwy 156, six miles west of Larned, Kansas.
Mailing address: 1767 KS Hwy 156, Larned, KS 67550
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