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.
Park Entrance - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
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.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
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 fort is unheated and does not have modern cooling systems, so dress accordingly.
The fort parking lot faces an orientation shade shelter where a water fountain, restrooms, picnic tables, and a passport stamping station are available. Please help yourself to our park brochure and enjoy touring the approach to and around the fort. The paved path leading to the entrance of the reconstructed fort is ¼ mile and wheelchair accessible.
Closed today
Current Hours (Temporary closure for stabilization)
December 10–May 24
Every Day:Closed
The reconstructed fort is temporarily closed to allow park staff to address critical safety hazards through stabilization work. Park grounds and trails are still open.
Standard Hours
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Bent's Old Fort is open 7 days a week, except on except on New Year's Day, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington's Birthday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Visitor hours for the fort are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The park's entrance gate and grounds are open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Off-season Operations (January-March)
January 1–March 9
Sunday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday-Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
During the slower off-season, the fort will be open to the public Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekly, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the winter season, park trails and grounds will be open 7 days a week, excepting holiday closures.
Off-season Operations (October-December)
October 27–December 30
Sunday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday-Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
During the slower off-season, the fort will be open to the public Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekly, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the winter season, park trails and grounds will be open 7 days a week, excepting holiday closures.
Temporary closure for stabilization
December 10–May 24
Every Day:Closed
The reconstructed fort is temporarily closed to allow park staff to address critical safety hazards through stabilization work. Park grounds and trails are still open.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Public Wi-Fi is available in the plaza of Bent's Old Fort; signal may not reach all rooms in the fort. Cellular reception will vary depending on location.
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site passport stamps are available at any time during regular business hours adjacent to the site's parking lot.
NPS
While structural integrity inside the fort is being addressed for visitor safety, visitors are welcome to enjoy the wayside panels, tour the outside perimeter of the structure, as well as hike the 1.75 mile loop trail on fort grounds. For visitor covenience, a stamping station is centrally located next to the orientation shade shelter by the public rest area for those who are eager to collect their Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site passport stamp during our regular business hours.
Certain types of activities require a special use permit. These include many types of organized gatherings, filming, and photography.
Last updated: March 6, 2025
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
35110 State Highway 194
La Junta,
CO
81050
Phone:
719 383-5010
The park's phone system is currently unreliable and may not work if you attempt to call; we strongly suggest use of email for all non-emergency inquiries.
Staff are available Monday through Friday to take your call from 9:00 a. m. - 3:30 p. m. Mountain Time. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
