Fort Larned National Historic Site - National Park Directory

Men in 19th century U.S. Army uniforms fire a reproduction period cannon.

Volunteers demonstrating the use of a mountain howitzer during one of Fort Larned's living history weekends.

Sandstone army buildings arranged in a square around parade ground.

The historic sandstone buildings at Fort Larned date to 1868

Man in leather apron hammering hot steel in blacksmith shop.

The blacksmith demonstration is one of the most popular living history demonstrations.

Men in 19th century U.S. Army uniforms lower an American flag.

Volunteers help recreate the U.S. Army flag lowering ceremony known as Retreat.

Man in 19th century U.S. Army uniform interacts with visitors in period barracks.

A volunteer shows visitors how soldiers lived during the 1860s at Fort Larned.

Three young children having their picture taken with Santa Claus in a period room.

Young visitors get their picture taken with Santa during the fort's Christmas Past event.

African American men in 19th century cavalry uniforms on horseback.

Buffalo Soldier re-enactors help bring Fort Larned's history to life.

Photos: National Park Service

About Fort Larned National Historic Site

Discover a complete and authentic army post from the 1860s -1870s! This well-preserved fort on the Santa Fe Trail shares a tumultuous history of the Indian Wars era. The sandstone constructed buildings sheltered troops who were known as the Guardians of the Santa Fe Trail.

Quick Facts

State Kansas

Designation National Historic Site

State Code KS

Weather Central Kansas has a four-season climate. Winter tends to be cold and dry, with average daytime highs below 40F (4C). Foehn winds blowing across the Great Plains from the Southwest…

Location & Map

Fort Larned National Historic Site is located in Kansas.

Get Directions

Operating Hours

Staff begin closing the grounds and visitor center at 4:30 p.m. The parking lot gate is closed and locked for the night at 5 p.m.

Wednesday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Monday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Thursday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Sunday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Tuesday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Activities

Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Living History Historic Weapons Demonstration Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Fort Larned National Historic Site is located on KS Hwy 156, six miles west of Larned, Kansas.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 1767 KS Hwy 156, Larned, KS, 67550

Phone 620-285-6911

Email fols_internet@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage Commerce Trade Forts Hispanic American Heritage Latino American Heritage Military Infantry and Militia Indigenous and Native Warrior Native American Heritage Transportation Roads, Routes and Highways Wars and Conflicts Indian and Frontier Wars Grasslands Prairies

Things To Do

Fort Larned Living History

Fort Larned staff and volunteers help bring the fort to life during the summer with our living history programs.

Each summer the staff and volunteers at Fort Larned portray different people who would have lived, and worked, at the…

Visit the Fort Larned Blacksmith

See a blacksmith practice his art in the Fort Larned blacksmith shop.

Picnic at Fort Larned

Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of your visit to Fort Larned!

Hike the Fort Larned History & Nature Trail

There was more to Fort Larned than the sandstone buildings left standing today. Beyond the Parade Ground was a complex…

Tour Fort Larned with a Ranger

The best way to see the fort. Check on availability when you arrive.

Tour Fort Larned's Original Sandstone Buildings

See the original, restored sandstone buildings of a 19th century Indian Wars era fort.

Visitor Centers

Fort Larned Visitor Center

Located in one of the two historic barracks buildings, the park's Visitor Center features a bookstore with a wide variety of books on Army life,…

Hours: The park's Visitor Center is located in one of the two historic barracks buildings, It features exhibits telling about the westward expansion of the United States government, international commerce and conflicts affecting the American Indians, traders, soldiers and Indian Agents in and around Fort Larned. The park's bookstore features a wide variety of books on Army life, the Plains Indians and the Santa Fe Trail.

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