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.
Living Historians play cards at the fort in the 1970s.
Entertainment in the Borderlands
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site announces a special program hosted at Boggsville Historic Site from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. This program will focus on historic forms of entertainment enjoyed and influenced by the different cultures of the Southwestern Borderlands. Gambling and competitions were often among the first interactions between different peoples, and participation was often a path to learn about each other’s cultures. They often learned each other’s games before they were able to learn their languages.
A wall of earthen brick masonry showing damage from moisture, with a pile of debris running along the length of the wall.
Reconstructed fort at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site temporarily closed for stabilization work
The reconstructed fort at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is temporarily closed to the public in response to safety concerns that stem from structural deficiencies that were exacerbated by a recent heavy snow event. Stabilization work is underway so the fort can be reopened. The park's trails and grounds are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., except for holiday closures. All entrance fees are waived while the reconstructed fort is temporarily closed.
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