Bent's Old Fort
A full-scale reconstruction, with living history.
Bent's Old Fort and Sand Creek
An adobe trading post on the Santa Fe Trail, and, not far away, the site of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre.
Inside Bent's Old Fort, access is limited to the central plaza on scheduled days and to 49 people at a time. Guided tours reach other rooms. Sand Creek is reached on at least 8 miles of unpaved road.Checked November 2, 2026 · Latest
In the 1830s and 1840s, Bent's Fort was the main American trading post between Missouri and Mexico, and it's been rebuilt with costumed staff. Sand Creek, 90 minutes northeast, is where US volunteers attacked a Cheyenne and Arapaho camp in 1864, killing about 230 people, mostly women and children. The site is a place of quiet mourning.
- Best Time
- May–June and September–October
- Time Needed
- 1 day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About three hours by car southeast of Denver.
What to See
2 of 2 are freeSand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
A small, sacred site on the plains.
Know Before You Go
- Sand Creek is a sacred burial ground. Keep to the paths, and be respectful.
Where to Stay
Stay in La Junta.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
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Colorado
Red-rock towers at Garden of the Gods, a cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak, the Air Force Academy chapel and the US Olympic museum.
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If You're NearbyGreat Sand Dunes National Park
Colorado
North America's tallest dunes, 750 feet high, against the snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with a seasonal creek to splash in.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Rocky Mountains list.