Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

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.

Horse and Mule in the Plaza

Horse and Mule in the Plaza

Two animals are tied to a wooden frame in the interior of a large adobe structure.

Bent's Old Fort

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.

Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie in foreground and blue sky and clouds above

Boxes and Furs

Boxes and Furs in the Plaza.

Wooden boxes and buffalo furs are scattered around a plaza inside an adobe fortification.

Bent's Old Fort

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.

Bent's Old Fort with shortgrass prairie, tepee and wagon in foreground and blue sky & clouds above

Beads in the Trade room

Trade Room beads

bundles of glass trade beads tied together hang from a wooden rafter

Bent's Old Fort at night

Bent's Old Fort at night

An adobe fort with lights under a starry sky

Bent's Old Fort

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.

Bent's Old Fort in background with wagon in front; fall yellow cottonwood leaves in foreground

The Past and Future at Bent's Old Fort

The Past and Future at Bent's Old Fort

A Conestoga wagon and a solar race car stand on a road with a large adobe fort in the background

Saddles in the Plaza

Pack saddles are at the ready.

A row of saddles are arrayed along a wooden beam near an adobe building

Traderoom

The trade room catered to trappers, traders, the fort's labor force, and travelers from the ranks of soldiers, explorers, and adventurers.

A wooden counter is in the foreground of a trade room, with sales items on display in the background