Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Bent's Old Fort was the only permanent white settlement on the Santa Fe Trail between Missouri and Santa Fe.
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.
Map showing location of park.
hiker along wilderness roadside surrounded by national park visitation economic benefit statistics
Tourism to the High Plains Group of Parks contributes $4.8 million to local economies
A new National Parks Service report shows that visitor spending among the four parks within the High Plains Group contributed to 60 jobs and a cumulative economic benefit of $5.3 million.
A historic American flag flies from a wooden pole on an adobe fort.
2024 Programs at Bent’s Old Fort Explore “Stories from the Borderlands”
Beginning July 4th, the public is invited to discover stories from the borderlands along the Arkansas River in the 1800s throughout 2024. “Stories from the Borderlands” is a regular series of programs which will explore the complex histories found at the fort.
Reconstructed fort at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site to close for asbestos removal
From Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12, 2024, the reconstructed fort at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site will be closed for an asbestos removal project. During this time, park trails and grounds will still be accessible daily from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
Two animals are tied to a wooden frame in the interior of a large adobe structure.
Photo by NPS Photo
Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie in foreground and blue sky and clouds above
Photo by NPS Photo
Wooden boxes and buffalo furs are scattered around a plaza inside an adobe fortification.
Photo by NPS Photo
Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie, tepee and wagon in foreground and blue sky & clouds above
Photo by NPS Photo
bundles of glass trade beads tied together hang from a wooden rafter
Photo by NPS Photo
An adobe fort with lights under a starry sky
Photo by NPS Photo
Bent's Old Fort in background with wagon in front; fall yellow cottonwood leaves in foreground
Photo by NPS Photo
A Conestoga wagon and a solar race car stand on a road with a large adobe fort in the background
Photo by NPS Photo
A row of saddles are arrayed along a wooden beam near an adobe building
Photo by NPS Photo
A wooden counter is in the foreground of a trade room, with sales items on display in the background
Photo by NPS Photo