{"id":"nps-beol","slug":"bents-old-fort-national-historic-site","name":"Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site","designation":"National Historic Site","category":"historic-site","categoryLabel":"Historic Site and Historical Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"BEOL","designation":"National Historic Site","sourceId":"nps-beol"}],"states":["CO"],"stateNames":["Colorado"],"location":{"lat":38.03977546,"lon":-103.4266499},"bbox":[-103.4356,38.0274,-103.4172,38.0499],"acres":{"value":810,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=38.0499&b_tl_lng=-103.4356&b_br_lat=38.0274&b_br_lng=-103.4172","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Bent's%20Old%20Fort%20National%20Historic%20Site","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/beol/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/474706FB-9F0B-695E-22685D20CAA3192B.jpg","title":"Plaza visitors","alt":"A group of visitors stand around a large wooden apparatus in a plaza courtyard.","caption":"A park ranger speaks to visitors gathered around the fur press in the plaza of the reconstructed fort.","credit":"NPS/D. Ocheltree","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C80168D-1DD8-B71B-0B61A79C6F138439.jpg","title":"Bent's Old Fort","alt":"Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie in foreground and blue sky and clouds above","caption":"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.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/898C7B8E-905D-9882-21DD3AC36E4D6E7C.jpg","title":"Boxes and Furs","alt":"Wooden boxes and buffalo furs are scattered around a plaza inside an adobe fortification.","caption":"Boxes and Furs in the Plaza.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8CC3CE29-F436-CD91-7B212634BFAC4E34.jpg","title":"Bent's Old Fort","alt":"Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie, tepee and wagon in foreground and blue sky & clouds above","caption":"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.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/5164820E-B3C7-12B1-84F9A25D75F5D67A.jpg","title":"Beads in the Trade room","alt":"bundles of glass trade beads tied together hang from a wooden rafter","caption":"Trade Room beads","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/4E93E666-DC00-24AF-335B2F4B988AD610.jpg","title":"Bent's Old Fort at night","alt":"An adobe fort with lights under a starry sky","caption":"Bent's Old Fort at night","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/517C61C7-E173-A7F9-393BB596E80FCB88.jpg","title":"The Past and Future at Bent's Old Fort","alt":"A Conestoga wagon and a solar race car stand on a road with a large adobe fort in the background","caption":"The Past and Future at Bent's Old Fort","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8D0EC7EA-0A5E-6A59-309722431A8274F7.jpg","title":"Bent's Old Fort","alt":"Bent's Old Fort in background with wagon in front; fall yellow cottonwood leaves in foreground","caption":"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.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/897C7E94-EE02-F732-88F2FBD42D2A7800.jpg","title":"Saddles in the Plaza","alt":"A row of saddles are arrayed along a wooden beam near an adobe building","caption":"Pack saddles are at the ready.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8972C604-C83B-B0DB-257152905A0AA122.jpeg","title":"Horse and Mule in the Plaza","alt":"Two animals are tied to a wooden frame in the interior of a large adobe structure.","caption":"Horse and Mule in the Plaza","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/89B0469E-0250-4EF9-61BB09BD43B97C5B.jpg","title":"Traderoom","alt":"A wooden counter is in the foreground of a trade room, with sales items on display in the background","caption":"The trade room catered to trappers, traders, the fort's labor force, and travelers from the ranks of soldiers, explorers, and adventurers.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Craft Demonstrations","Cultural Demonstrations","Biking","Road Biking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hiking","Living History","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Colonization and Settlement","Commerce","Trade","Enslavement","Forts","Hispanic American Heritage","Military","US Army","Native American Heritage","Wars and Conflicts","Tribal Conflicts","Mexican War","Westward Expansion","Animals","Climate Change","Grasslands","Prairies","River and Riparian"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site","description":"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.\n\nPlaza access into the reconstructed fort is on a separate schedule—see the event calendar for hours of operation on scheduled plaza access days.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","monday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","tuesday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","friday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.","start":"2027-01-18","end":"2027-01-18","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Washington's Birthday","start":"2027-02-15","end":"2027-02-15","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]},{"name":"Replica Fort","description":"Five days a week the public is invited inside the 1976 replica of Bent’s Old Fort, entering through the zaguan gate and into the plaza. Park Rangers will be present to explain the features of the fort and its 20th century reconstruction. Entry into the replica fort is limited to the central plaza, except on guided tours, due to safety issues. For your safety, respect all closures and restrictions. Guided tours provide access to some furnished spaces.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","thursday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","sunday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 4:00PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"thursday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"MLK Day","start":"2027-01-18","end":"2027-01-18","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Washington's Birthday","start":"2027-02-15","end":"2027-02-15","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"Summer temperatures are often in the high 90s and low 100s. Weather is generally fair in the fall and spring. Winter temperatures can be below freezing. Most of the replica fort is unheated and does not have modern cooling systems, so dress accordingly.","contacts":{"phone":"719 383-5010","email":"beol_interpretation@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Information Center","description":"The information center is located at the visitor parking area, immediately next to the restrooms and orientation shelter. It provides orientation materials and has a Western National Park Store. The information center maintains the same hours as the park, however this facility closes from 11:30-noon for lunch.","url":"","lat":38.043228569191626,"lon":-103.43193411827087}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"comanche-national-grassland","km":42},{"slug":"amache-national-historic-site","km":96},{"slug":"sand-creek-massacre-national-historic-site","km":98},{"slug":"capulin-volcano-national-monument","km":148},{"slug":"cimarron-national-grassland","km":174},{"slug":"florissant-fossil-beds-national-monument","km":188}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=beol"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.606Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Guided Tours at the Reconstructed Fort","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/guided_tours_bentsoldfort.htm","updated":"2025-12-01 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-4449A7C8-16AA-4419-9445-AFFC36407D3C"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/beol/planyourvisit/fort_status.htm","updated":"2025-11-25 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-49EA97B7-FB9B-4C24-AD71-65F8FC6E9919"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/beol_plazaaccess.htm","updated":"2025-11-25 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-5AA8A334-36BB-448B-8096-C87178C3788E"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"A Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/beol_walk_to_the_fort.htm","updated":"2025-11-24 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-E004B1C3-7EBE-4C10-8F06-AF38F112E5A2"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site.geojson"}