Fort Larned National Historic Site
Discover a complete and authentic army post from the 1860s -1870s!
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
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.
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Driving times from Fort Larned National Historic Site, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Park Grounds and Historic Buildings
- Mon
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Tue
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Wed
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Thu
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Fri
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Sat
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Sun
- 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Activities
Getting there
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 periodically raise temperatures above 80F (27C). Unsettled warmer air, higher winds, and severe weather arrive in the spring and often last through early July. Late summer days hover above 90F (32C) and readings over 100F (38C) are not uncommon. Fall is variable but generally milder with showers changing to snow and ice later.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Fort Larned National Historic Site?
- Popular activities include Bookstore and Park Store, Food, Guided Tours, Historic Weapons Demonstration, Junior Ranger Program, Living History.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Fort Larned National Historic Site?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Santa Fe National Historic Trail (1 h 13 min), Nicodemus National Historic Site (2 h 4 min), Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (3 h 1 min), Amache National Historic Site (3 h 18 min), Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park (3 h 35 min), Washita Battlefield National Historic Site (4 h 11 min).