Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

In southeastern Colorado's Otero County, Bent's Old Fort stands as one of the most historically significant sites along the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was constructed in 1833 by a company formed by Charles Bent, William Bent, and Ceran St. Vrain, with the primary purpose of conducting trade — exchanging goods with Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Plains Indians and trappers, particularly for buffalo robes.

For the better part of its sixteen years as a trading post, the fort held a remarkable distinction: it was the only substantial permanent American settlement along the Santa Fe Trail in the vast stretch between Missouri and the Mexican settlements to the southwest. That isolation underscores just how pivotal it was as a waypoint and commercial hub in an otherwise unsettled landscape.

Visitors today come to engage with that layered history firsthand. The site is managed as a national historic site, making it accessible for sightseeing and photography. Plan your visit during the warmer months for the most comfortable experience, as southeastern Colorado winters can be harsh.