Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site


Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site features a reconstructed 1840s adobe fur trading post on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail where traders, trappers, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes came together in peaceful terms for trade. Today, living historians recreate the sights, sounds, and smells of the past with guided tours, demonstrations and special events.

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.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Living History
  • Reenactments
  • Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • First Person Interpretation
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Tubing
  • Snow Tubing
  • Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

  • Architecture and Building
  • Archeology
  • Ruins
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Commerce
  • Trade
  • Forts
  • Hispanic American Heritage
  • Immigration
  • Laborer and Worker
  • Military
  • US Army
  • Native American Heritage
  • Reconstruction
  • Schools and Education
  • Transportation
  • Roads, Routes and Highways
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Tribal Conflicts
  • Mexican War
  • Westward Expansion
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Climate Change
  • Fire
  • Groundwater
  • Grasslands
  • Prairies
  • River and Riparian
  • Rock Landscapes and Features
  • Trails
  • Wetlands
  • Marshes

Bent's Old Fort

Bent's Old Fort in background with wagon in front; fall yellow cottonwood leaves in foreground

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.

Bent's Old Fort

Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie in foreground and blue sky and clouds above

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.

Open hearth cooking in the fort kitchen

Cooking in fort kitchen

Buffalo meat is broiled in the reflector oven as was done historically in the 1840s.

Fur trapper explains the work of the 1830s.

Fur trapper in camp

Special events bring the past alive with encampments, fort trade and Plains Indian life.

Bent's Old Fort

Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie, tepee and wagon in foreground and blue sky & clouds above

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.

A Lakota warrior barters with the traders in the fort plaza

Plains Indian trade in plaza

Trade with a Lakota warrior for trade goods from around the world.

Swivel cannon is fired using 18th century drill

Swivel cannon firing

The fort's security depended on its ability to resist attack.

Hiking the Santa Fe Trail

HIkers follow behind the fort's wagon on the Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail Encampment features a hike with the fort's wagon down the original Santa Fe Trail.

Santa Fe Trail Encampment and Trail Hike

Interpreters and volunteers in period clothing on horseback and in wagons; group of people standing

The Park features the Santa Fe Trail Encampment during certain years. Historical interpreters bring the fort to life. Visitors can hike 3 miles down the original Santa Fe Trail with the fort's wagons.