Reviews of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site (Park)

Matthew Stanley

Great history and worth the time. Gift shop was amazing!

Daniel Pierce

Such an amazing place just as other sites and national parks are. Loved that there was someone greeting you as you arrived at the front door as we didn't expect for anyone to be there. There is a cover charge for adults $3 a person and my kids who are under 4 were free. The greater at the door also informed us of some wonderful history about the place and was very helpful. I would love to come back and explore with some more time on hand. Just made a quick stop as we passed by. I would for sure reccomend stopping here if you love history.

Karen Campos

Love this place a wonderful piece of history. Very friendly staff and very informative staff. I really enjoyed my time there. Atmosphere is very rustic and give you a great idea of how live was at the trade post.

Yuriy Ledyashov

Interesting place. Friendly staff

Henry Wollman

Fun living history.

Izaak Ellis

Awesome place. The first store had some of the most unique items I've ever seen

Stephanie Brior

Such a fun little adventure. For all ages.

Dead Man Society

Amazing place. Good family fun.

Richard

The history of the fort was awesome. If you get a chance, walk the big loop trail to the fort.

Jim Cox

Great place to visit. Children will enjoy this place. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable. Excellent bookstore. The restrooms are very clean. Plenty of parking and easy to find.

Glenn Wollenhaupt

Beautiful Tuesday in March, I was only person to visit in the AM. Bob was working. He answered all my questions. We talked history of the west and all of US. Fort itself is built to original specks and is a marvelous view into Colorado 1840s life. May come back for recreation in June.

Matthew Bonnewell

Great play to go with the kids

Sharon Terwelp

What a great experience!

Kirill Karandeyev

Great old fort reproduction. Lots of history. The guide was very informative and funny.

Jehanne Smith

This was a great find ! Went there last week as we were on our way home to KS from Moab. It was amazing especially for history lovers, the staff was wearing the clothes from that time and all and was really friendly ! Super cheap and so neat !

Jim Phillips

Fantastic first person living history weekend!! Enjoyed by the public and the participants!!!

bacon pope

Currently under some construction, but still an excellent presentation of history.

Isaac Dever

Great history! Definitely worth the stop.

Harry Budisidharta

Great historical site. The guides are very friendly and knowledgeable about the history of this fort. It is also pet and kids friendly.

Mona Answer

Loved this old fort. Informative and people walking around in period clothes demonstrating old techniques. Plus surrounding area beautiful

Chellie Wallace

I grew up in the hunter so Ben sport has always been a part of my history and I love it it gets better every year every time thank you so much for the great adventure today

Julie Sedziol

Our tour guide did an excellent presentation.

Chris H

I really enjoyed it even though it's 99% re-creation. It's said to be built on the original site. When you stand at the top of the fort & look out, you can understand the relief of travelers at finding this oasis so far from home. The staff …

Kim Carpenter

This historical gem easily earns 5 stars. The costumed docents eagerly and accurately answer any questions with passion. HINT: Bring your National Parks Pass with you TO the Fort which is a paved walk away from the parking lot. If you cannot make the trek, simply follow the information given near the restrooms and an employee will gladly pick you up in a (modern) shuttle cart. If you forget or dont have a pass, the fee is nominal and WORTH IT!

TODD WITTERN

If you are a history buff, you will love this fort. The staff wears period costumes and talks to as if you were in the time the fort was in existence. Beautifully restored and decorated rooms let's you imagine what life was like here.

janeal kitchens

Really good!! Very impressed

Ronald Glass

A very interesting place of history on the Old Santa Fe Trail. It was a vital half way point from St. LOUIS and Santa Fe! KEARNEY staged War with Mexico here and won. Hence The New Mexico Territory was born.

Dawn Grimstad

Great place to spend an afternoon. Lots of nice details, gives you a real feel for life in the 1800s.

Kevin Kathmann

Very nice reconstructed fort. You will learn that the fort was faithfully reconstructed from original measurements due to the diligence of the original inhabitants. They also had a few volunteers that were 'in character' while we were there.

Lena Johnson

We went in early October to avoid the high temperatures, and went on a Monday so it was a nice, quiet day. This is a reconstriction of a fort near the old border with Mexico around the 1840s, reconstructed in the 1970s. Nearly every room is filled with what would have been in there, from furniture and beds to boxes of guns and caskets of gunpowder. I loved the trade room - it was easy to imagine being a trapper stopping in for candles, boots, and beads. I was surprised to see reenactors on such an off-day, but they were great about answering questions. Also don't miss the cats. They were very lonely.

Tom R

Nice place to get off the road and see how life was. Dog friendly. But watch out for the ox cart if your pets are not used to cattle.

J Hunt

Love this place. Kids had a great day learning about some of our state's history.

marsha taylor

This is a amazing place to visit. I never get tired of coming here. 3.00 for adults you can’t beat that for such a fabulous history lesson. Put this on your make a stop list for sure.

Scott M.

It's a little bit of a walk from parking lot but a neat place to place to visit

Daniel Shurz

This is a fascinating National Historic Monument to visit. It is a recreation of a fort that was a trading post when the Arkansas River was the boundary between Mexico and lands populated by Indian tribes. The stories of the people who spent time there and life in the mid 19th century make it a great place to visit.

marla kohutek

Family outing with our German houseguest. Simply lovely. Great that they now have a golf cart to help visitors from the parking area up to the main entrance.

Mindy Armijo

Amazing historical experience. The recreated fort and knowledgeable guides really give you a sense of what it was like in this area back then. The drive out east of Pueblo is gorgeous and peaceful this time of year.

Lisa Keller

Great restoration of an interesting historical place. Staff is dressed in period clothes and actually fyi some work authentic to the site.

Bricole Filipovic

Absolutely a wonderful place to visit! The staff was amazing and kept it interesting for all ages. The hands on aspect was unlike any other stop on our trip. My daughter got to feel the buffalo fur and tools they would have used in that period. They even let her ring the bell in the tower. Very few areas are roped off for viewing only.

Jose Alpizar

It was super fun and interesting to see the history

Terry Nelson

Great staff and really cool history about the Fort.

Barbara Wyss

I'm an old west history buff and Bents Old Fort exceeded my expectations. Even though it was rebuilt in the 1970s, they had exact specifications for the 1830s fort and built it with authenticity. The staff was excellent. We had space to …

John Wylie

History in physical reality. Lots of side rooms. Interesting to say the least. Gift shop sells period articles. Shuttle service from parking lot to gate. Knowledgeable staff makes the tour come alive.

Rich Paeth

Really interesting story about a very successful trading Post and a great slice of or history on the Santa Fe trail. Great tour guides

Amanda Vaughn

Fantastic way to spend a day! The actors are knowledgeable and willing to talk if you want more info on anything. The site is well maintained and easy to get to. I forgot something there, and they managed to get it back to me quickly as well! I appreciate their hard work.

Stephen Zahradnik

Fantastic history to be found here. They had a pool tablr in use here in the 1800s! Well worth checking out. Cool actors and a nice gift shop.

Phyllis Adkins

Wonderful historical fort feels like you're back in time. Walk through the old west, look at how they slept, ate, worked and traded.

Mike Crowley

Lot's of history. Be sure to take the free guided tour.

Barbara Ross

Loved, loved ,loved the fort. Such rich history. Glad we got to tour it. The young man at the entrance was very informative. Will be there again next year.

Derrick Dearborn

Truly awesome

Tom Mcdowell

Unique! Seems authentic!

Scott Lanning

Wonderful place full of history.

james dawson

Just stumbled upon this place on the way to Denver and am really glad we stopped off. This historic reconstruction of a fort was fascinating to visit and learn how things were.

Lesa Biles

Walk and browse at your own pace. Really neat place.

Jack Johannes

What a gem of history and preservation. Worth the trip out. The NPS staff was great as well

Lonnie Hudnall

Excellent fun for the entire family. Great history lessons, cheap fun.

Tom Bridges

Great place if you enjoy seeing how things used to be.

Hank Marks

Not expecting a whole lot to be honest, but I was pleasantly surprised with this site. The park rangers are really nice and have loads of info to share. The fort looks cool as well. I got to stamp my book and do a self guided tour through practically every room. There’s also a movie.

C Fisher

A neat place to see, though none of the building is original. It is all a restore from old drawings etc. Still, if you're a history buff, it's a great place to visit. The bookstore has a lot of neat things too!

Joe Stuchel

It was a great place to see some of our history. It was never a military fort. Take bug repellent in the summer!

gene oneill

The tour was amazing and gave new perspective to the time period. Highly recommended that you take the test to do the tour.

Celery MonteCelery

The living history program really makes the fort make sense of how history affects the present!

Randy Burns

One of the nicest forts we have visited. Highly recommend

Jim Tanis

Neat recreation of the old fort. Educational also. Nice folks.

EC Hut

Another great historical site preserved by our NPS! Keep it up. A terrific stop for history buffs and those who enjoy learning about the Sante Fe trail and that period of history. They have great books relating to the time in the gift shop.

Denise Craigen

Although it's a recreation this is a great Historic place to visit. Wear your walking shoes, sunscreen and/or a hat and bring a water bottle to be prepared. You can take a guided tour or do a self your using their guide booklet. Such a great place to learn about history.

Bobby Tomlin

My favorite place on our vacation

Forever Marie

Place is wonderful and off the beaten path. The guides are very knowledgeable and do their absolute best to stay in character. Accurate historical interpretation with some of the people being what they are portraying in real life as well. (the blacksmith that was there on 6-7-18 is also a blacksmith in his life outside the fort.) You will learn so much from here.

Trajiun

Great faithful reconstruction of the far wests trade post with plains tribes and mexico.. beautiful

Austin Henry

We drove to the fort from South Fork on the way to Colorado Springs. It was about two hours out of our way, but I am so glad we went. My 5 and 10 year old daughters loved it. The main part of the fort is able to be seen as a self guided walking tour. Most of the rooms are packed full of era appropriate furniture and items. Many can be touched. The forge and carpenter shop were really a highlight. Plan on spending at least a couple of hours, but maybe up to half a day if you want to really explore.

Pat O'Neal

Excellent guides and savants.

Dave Hill

A bit of recreated history, both the building and the staff, showing what life as like on the pre-locomotive Frontier.

Doreen Crabtree

Great national historical site. Duke was a great host, so helpful and informative. Did not know much about the Santa Fe trail, loved this reconstruction.

Kylie Cowan

it was so fun I loved it could I left was the Doctor's real cuz they put in my class who got leeches on my arm it was so much fun and I would go there again the Trading Post they have all kinds of other rooms it was just so fine gift shop hello it was awesome I love the actors that took the time to teach us all about been opened and Vince for it was awesome I would definitely go there again

Holli Marshall

Very interesting if you are a history buff or a nerd. Not a military fort but built by brothers as a trading post. Restoration was well done and rangers in period clothes were around to answer questions. Self guided tour using a tour booklet. Little bit of a walk from the parking lot but well worth it. Take water.

Bev B

Beautifully reconstructed. Can picture the way this fort was used for trade

Brixie Mathewson

Fantastic stop on the Santa Fe route. Everyone was very friendly and I loved how the fort has been restored.

Randi Custer

This was one of the best recreation with 1st person reinactors we have seen. Highly recommended.

Alan Marshall

Reconstructed on the same site it originally built. Lots of fun. You get to roam the entire fort. There are in character hosts to make you feel even more back in that time. This wasn't a military fort but a trading fort. So glad we visited. Gift store and stamp cancellation for your passports. :) :)

martin terhune

The Fort was very nicely rebuilt and the little booklet that you get at the entrance is amazingly Informational

Lance Jones

Fascinating part of Western U.S. history. Curious kids will also find it interesting, and will not be easily bored. Also saw a couple of kitties on the property, which was a pleasant surprise.

Jason Mendenhall

It is rebuilt on the same foundation great info.

J Scott

Had a great time.

Sandra Garcia

I love it .❤️ Such a beautiful and very interesting place ❤️ very nice people.

Debbie Stewart

Very nice fort recreation and reenactors. Was a hot day. Take water. Close to la junta and Arkansas river.

Darrell Walters

Second time we have visited during the Living History Encampment and intend to do it again. Recommended!

BiocleanSystems

Great place to visit! I would highly recommend going on the ranger guided tour to get a better understanding of what life was like when the fort was in its heyday. We learned a lot and left with a greater appreciation what those early settlers, traders, and soldiers went through.

Linda Gothard

A must for any history geek.

kiki wilson

Great historic site with lots of cool information. Take a guided tour if it's available.

Gisele Young

Amazing place to visit. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. You'll leave this place with an insight into how the travelers and trading of the mid 1800's made it all happen.

DSR

A yrue piece of history that you can touch.

Rita Gillespie-Stein

Beautiful recreation of an historic trading fort. Much nicer than expected. All the rooms are staged nicely and the guides are very knowledgeable. Great store too. Hard to get to but so worth it.

Nina Gutierrez

National Historic Site, $3 per person, wonderful recreations room by room including the trading post, we even rang the bell in the small tower:) There is a video you can watch or buy it and watch it later. Maybe you will be the one to solve the mystery of how the fort burned down- was it bombed by the military as threatened, or burned down by the Bent brothers to prevent the military from stealing it?? It was rebuilt to original specs using as close as possible true to original materials.

Robert Childers

Unique one of a kind attraction. You could easily spend a few hours at the fort. Nice family friendly stop.

R G Kuhn

Fantastic. Watched it grow from pieces of foundation to the realistic old fort it is today.

Terry Wilson

We drove out of our way to see the fort and we are so glad we did. This fort gives you a real view of what life was like on the frontier. They have a short movie at the start of the tour with lots of interesting information.

Jeremiah Nordby

Must go to is you're near, really neat!

Sarah Jacobsen

Was not expecting so much history and detail....you can take a tour or check it out on your own....for three dollars a person this is a great deal....loved exploring the rooms and seeing history unfold in front of me... The cat, chickens, peacocks, and horses were all an added bonus.... Family friendly, an absolute must see

Michael Gerhold

This is one of the most underrated National Park system attractions it's a bit off the beaten path but well worth a visit

Donna Finley

A wonderful visit through the Old West. I will most definitely be back.

Steven Minor

Great trip a must see spot in Colorado

Angela Zollitsch

Great site, that was beautifully reconstructed. The Fort conveyed the mixing of cultures that shaped the American Southwest.

Crystal Schmidt

Pretty cool place to see! It's free and open to the public!

Daae Gutierrez

A really great historical landmark. The interpretation at this park is unique in that it is mostly a "living history" park, which means there are almost actors telling you about the park. Look for peacocks!

Patrick Porter

Bent's Fort is a wonderful look back at our history.

Jeff Kent

Been to a lot of forts and historic sights and this one is by far one of the best. Way better than expected.

Nancy Stafford

This was a trading fort. Try to get an interpretors tour. They assume the personality of someone who lived at the fort in the 1800s. Fort is a reproduction made from drawings and is made out of Adobe brick. There is a charge to get in. Its a long walk from the parking lot but they will come and pick you up if you need to ride. Well worth the trip.

Gary and Louise Hicks

Memorable site; accurately rebuilt using specific surveyed measurements that were made in 1800's. Worth a visit to remember historic events and living conditions on the Santa Fe Trail.