Visitation:
Fort Larned National Historic Site received 43,530 visitors in 1998. Visitors came from all 50 states and 33 countries.
Location: Fort Larned National Historic Site is located in southwestern Kansas, on the
south side of KS Highway 156, and six miles west of the city of Larned. A detached section of the park, known as the Santa Fe Trail Ruts Area, is located on an unpaved county road,
about four miles south and one mile west of the fort.
Address: Fort Larned National Historic Site
Route 3
Larned, KS. 67550
Telephone: (316)285-6911
Operating Hours, Seasons: May 29th-Sept 5th, 8:00am. to 6:00pm. The
remainder of the year 8:30am to 5:00pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Years Day.
Climate, Recommended Clothing:
The climate of the area is classified as typical interior continental type with cold winters, warm summers and a short spring and fall. Dress for the season.
Transportation:
To Park: from Interstate 70, travel 30 miles west of Salina, the fort is 83 miles southwest, after taking exit 225. There is an airport outside of the town of Great
Bend approximately 27 miles east of the park. The park is also accessible by KS 156 and various other state roads.
Fees, Costs, Rates:
$2.00 per person, children 16 and younger admitted free.
Facilities and Opportunities:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
The visitor center has a museum, introductory slide show, library, rest rooms and bookstore. There is a nature trail and a detached site where one can still
view ruts left in the ground from wagons that traveled down the Santa Fe Trail.
Lodging and Camping:
Fort Larned National Historic closes during the evening hours, but overnight accommodations are available in the nearby community of Larned.
Food/Supplies: Only soft drinks are available at the site.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: The
Southwest Parks and Monuments Association manages a bookstore located in the visitor center.
Programs/Acitivities:
When available, living historians staff the infantry barracks, post blacksmith shop, hospital, blockhouse, commissary and officers quarters. During the
summer season, there are weekend demonstrations providing a more detailed look at life in the 1860s. Other special activities are scheduled from April to December.
Accessibility:
The visitor center is handicapped accessible. Accessibility to the other
historic buildings varies. There is a videotape of the fort available in the visitor center for those people who cannot make the walk.
Recommended Actitities/Park Use:
Living history programs are held during the summer on weekends. Other special activities are scheduled throughout the year.
Reservations/Permits:
Ranger guided tours are aviailable for groups with prior reservations. Other special activities may also require a reservation. Call for more information
and current schedule.
Basic Visit Recommendations: Allow at least an hour to look through the museum and historic buildings.
Special Events, Programs: Special events and programs run throughout the year.
Programs and times may vary, depending on staffing and weather. To learn more, telephone the park at (316)285-6911.
Adjacent Visitor Attraction:
The site is on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Other Santa Fe Trail sites, including the Santa Fe Trail Center, Sibley´s camp and Pawnee Rock are located nearby.
Last updated 08/29/99 by Fort Larned Staff.