Bents Old Fort: A Military Post Located in the Santa Fe Trails, Missouri

Bents Old Fort is in reality merely a reconstruction of an old trading post that dates way back to the 1840s. Today, the National Parks Service careful monitors it. This original adobe fort was once one of the very few white settlements that could be found on the Sante Fe trail, West of Missouri.

A lot of people seem to think that Bents Old Fort simply isn't worth the detour; but, if you are in the area and have even the slightest interest in 19th century United States frontier history, Bents Old Fort truly is a good visit. Take my word for it. Not only does it show the actual layout of how an establishment like this was once run, but it also shows you what kind of natural elements people needed to live with in order to trade and manage their fort back in those days. Bents Old Fort in itself is a historical experience that is worth visiting.

In the summer, the temperature at Bents Old Fort can go higher than 100F, though; and in the winter, it can go lower than 0F during the day. But this is not a bad thing. Just by walking down the mile-long path from the arrivals area to the fort gates is enough to give any visitor a good idea of the hardships that people had to go through during extreme weather in this area.

Today, a twenty-minute long video presentation has been arranged and set up at Bents Old Fort, where its full and unique historical story is told, along with several exhibitions and demonstrations about its past. You can either show yourself around or you have the choice to join a guided tour, which is usually led by living history interpreters. These tours are especially busy during the summer. The summer also brings with it several special events, mostly for kids, so make sure to check out what is available before you head out to it by going online and visiting the national park website to find out more about the special events.

Live educational history experiences are also available to be shared with children or even enjoyed by people of any age who have an active interest in past military life and history, or anything about wagon trails and Western explorers. Bents Old Fort is sure to be of interest to a lot of people, so don't knock it until you've tried it.