§ 02 — OVERVIEW
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.
§ 03 — LOCATION
Directions
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.
Weather Notes
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.
§ 04 — AMENITIES
§ 06 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 07 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 08—11 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 09 — REVIEWS
§ 10 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 11 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
§ 05 — TRAILS NEARBY
Trip Reports
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§ 01 — VITALS
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
Today
101°F
Patchy Blowing Dust
25 mph SW
Wed
101°F
Sunny
5 to 15 mph S
Thu
87°F
Sunny
15 to 20 mph NNE
Fri
96°F
Sunny
10 to 20 mph SSE
Sat
98°F
Sunny
10 mph NNW
Sun
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
15 mph ENE
Mon
80°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
10 to 15 mph ENE