> Canonical: https://colorado-parks.com/parks/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site
> Content revision: 2026-10-21T20:20:04.992Z

[Historic sites](https://colorado-parks.com/types/historic-site)[Otero](https://colorado-parks.com/counties/otero)

# Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

Otero · National Park Service

BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Visitor advisoryAccess & reservations

### Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site: Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort

Park-specific information

- [Plaza Access to Reconstructed Fort](https://colorado-parks.com/parks/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site)

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.

[Read the official notice: National Park Service Colorado destinations ↗](https://www.nps.gov/beol/park-alerts-beol.json)Source checked Oct 21, 2026

Visitor advisoryAccess & reservations

### Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site: Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort

Park-specific information

- [Capacity Restrictions at the Reconstructed Fort](https://colorado-parks.com/parks/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site)

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.

[Read the official notice: National Park Service Colorado destinations ↗](https://www.nps.gov/beol/park-alerts-beol.json)Source checked Oct 21, 2026

Visitor informationAccess & reservations

### Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site: A Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort

Park-specific information

- [A Short Walk is Required to Reach the Fort](https://colorado-parks.com/parks/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site)

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.

[Read the official notice: National Park Service Colorado destinations ↗](https://www.nps.gov/beol/park-alerts-beol.json)Source checked Oct 21, 2026

PLAN YOUR VISIT

## The practical details.

**Managing agency**: National Park Service

[Official park information](https://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm)

We have not yet verified hours, entry fees, accessibility details. Confirm these with the managing agency before traveling.

Check notice timestamps and official updates. Conditions can change between source checks.

## Weather & forecast

National Weather Service · [Official forecast ↗](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.0388164039695&lon=-103.426327562308)

## About Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

A reconstructed adobe trading post beside the Arkansas River interprets trade, cultural encounters and westward expansion along the Santa Fe Trail. Check current building access before visiting.

## Mapped hiking trails.

OpenStreetMap routes that intersect recorded park boundaries. Distances cover each route’s mapped Colorado portion, which may extend beyond this park. Check official maps and current access rules.

- [ADT - Colorado B - P - Seg 1 ↗](https://colorado-parks.com/trails/adt-colorado-b-p-seg-1-osm-9070276)218.8 mapped mi

[All mapped hiking routes ↗](https://colorado-parks.com/trails)

Trail data © [OpenStreetMap contributors](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright) · [ODbL](https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/)

## Find your way.

Map points represent park land, not verified visitor entrances. Follow the managing agency’s entrance directions. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.

This point represents park land, and may not be a public entrance. Follow official entrance directions.

[Official visitor information & directions ↗](https://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm)

## Read before you roam.

[THE FIELD GUIDE

### Book the right campsite, season and access

Understand advance reservations, hike-in sites, winter availability and park-specific booking arrangements.

Read the guide](https://colorado-parks.com/guides/camping-reservations-and-seasonal-access)

## Sources & verification

Park facts and notices are checked separately. Missing facility information does not mean a facility is absent. Official visitor page checked Oct 21, 2026.

- [National Park Service Colorado destinations](https://www.nps.gov/state/co/list.htm) · Oct 21, 2026

[Suggest a correction](https://colorado-parks.com/about#corrections) · [Markdown version](https://colorado-parks.com/parks/bents-old-fort-national-historic-site.md)

## Nearby parks.

Within 35 miles in a straight line. Travel distances and entrances vary.

[All parks](https://colorado-parks.com/parks)

[Bent

### John Martin Reservoir State Park

Biking · Bird watching](https://colorado-parks.com/parks/john-martin-reservoir-state-park)