Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
National Historic Site · CO
Caution · Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort
The design of the reconstructed fort fails to meet accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements of 1976. A lack of code compliant components such as emergency lighting, illuminated exit signage, panic hardware on doors, and outwardly swinging exit doors results in a limitation of 49 occupants for visitor operations within the reconstructed fort.
More informationCaution · Do Not Handle Wildlife
If you see a dead bat or a bat acting strangely at the fort, please do not touch or move it. Report the location of the animal to park staff.
Caution · Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort
Entry into the reconstructed fort is limited to the central plaza on scheduled days. For your safety respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access into additional areas.
More information2 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · A Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort
A 1/4 mile (1,275 feet) walk on a paved trail from the parking area is required to reach the gate of the fort. At the end of your visit, you'll return to your vehicle along the same path.
More informationInformation · Guided Tours at the Reconstructed Fort
Regularly scheduled guided tours provide access into furnished rooms and explore the fort’s role in Westward Expansion and the reconstruction of the fort in 1976.
More information
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/beol
- Location
- Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (38.040, -103.427)
Track your visit to Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Bent's Old Fort
- Information Center
- Orientation Plaza
Hours
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Sitetoday: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
- Sat Oct 39:00AM - 4:00PM
- Sun Oct 49:00AM - 4:00PM
- Mon Oct 59:00AM - 4:00PM
- Tue Oct 69:00AM - 4:00PM
- Wed Oct 79:00AM - 4:00PM
- Thu Oct 89:00AM - 4:00PM
- Fri Oct 99:00AM - 4:00PM
Upcoming closures: Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Day)
The park grounds are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on New Year's Day, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington's Birthday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During the off-season [October-March annually], the grounds are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except for the holidays listed above. Plaza access into the reconstructed fort is on a separate schedule—see the event calendar for hours of operation on scheduled plaza access days.
Replica Fort
Visitor centers
1
- Information Centertoday: 9:00AM - 4:00PMDirections
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.