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Who deserves to be free? The fight for freedom!
Soldiers fighting settlers! Each of these stories is a link in the chain of events that encircled Fort Scott from 1842-1873.
All of the site's structures, its parade ground, and its tallgrass prairie bear witness to this era when the country was forged from a young republic into a united transcontinental nation.
8 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
The Visitor Center for the site is located on the ground floor of the post hospital which is located at the entrance to the site near Old Fort Blvd. Summer hours are…
1 Old Fort Blvd, Fort Scott, KS (620) 223-0310 Directions
Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Fort Scott National Historic Site
Park Visitor Center and historic building hours listed under 'Visitor Centers.' Visitors may walk the park grounds, walkways, and parking lot from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset, except during periods of snow, ice, or other inclement weather conditions that make the grounds unsafe.
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| Tuesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Wednesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Thursday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Friday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Saturday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Sunday | Sunrise to Sunset |
No entrance fees listed.
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Spring and autumn are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters are mild with periods of cold weather, snowfall, and ice storms. Thunderstorms, some severe, are common throughout the spring and summer. During periods of severe weather, visitors should seek shelter, as the area is prone to lightning strikes. Visitors are advised to check the weather prior to traveling.
Saturday, October 31, 2026, join Fort Scott National Historic Site for a special candle lantern walk through the Murder and Mayhem at the Fort. Tour leaders, from the 1840s-1860s, will share some of the lesser told tragedies and macabre events that were far too common in Fort Scott’s 19th century. These four special Halloween lantern tours will start every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 pm. Tours are free and open to the public however space is limited and required reservations will open Friday, October 16th, at 8:30 am by calling 620-223-0310.
Those with reservations, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
The 45th Annual Candlelight Tour is Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, 2026. Tours on December 4th will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 5th, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 8:45 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. This year’s tour is about Comfort and Joy at Fort Scott.
The 45th Annual Candlelight Tour is Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, 2026. Tours on December 4th will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 5th, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 8:45 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. This year’s tour is about Comfort and Joy at Fort Scott.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 10 and 11, 2026. Join us each day to experience cavalry, artillery, and infantry troops drilling and preparing for battle.
Talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, and speak with volunteers portraying some of the men and women who provided support to the troops and operations during the Civil War. Listen to the Second Hand Strings musical performance, learn about Civil War medicine, bread baking, and challenge your family or friends to tug-o-war and other historic lawn games. The weekend is full of adventure for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!
TENTITIVE Encampment Program Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 10
9 a.m. Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
9:30 a.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
10 a.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
10:30 a.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
11 a.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
11:30 a.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
Noon Second Hand Strings Musical Performance (Hospital Porch)
1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
2 p.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
3 p.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
4 p.m. Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)
4:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
SUNDAY, APRIL 11
9 a.m. Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
9:30 am Historic Church Service (Dragoon Barracks)
10 a.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
10:30 a.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
11 a.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
11:30 a.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
1 p.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
1:30 p.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
2 p.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
2:30 p.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
3:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
4 p.m. Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)
4:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Celebrate American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and immersion in America’s history while honoring the men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.
On July 4th, we will fire artillery, lead Fort tours, and honor all those who have fought for our freedom.
JULY 4
10 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration
11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration
1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration
3 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration
Visitors and community members are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is located in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas. U.S.
Highways 69 and 54 intersect here. Fort Scott is about 90 miles south of Kansas City and 60 miles northwest of Joplin, Missouri. It is 4 miles from the Kansas-Missouri border. Signs directing visitors to Fort Scott are posted on Highway 69 for visitors coming from the north and the south and on Highway 54 for visitors coming from the east and the west.
Mailing address: PO Box 918, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
