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Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

The best camping in Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, CO

The best camping near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, CO

No matching sites in the park — explore these options nearby.

1. Prairie Oasis

29mi from Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · Rocky Ford, CO

Very secluded Prairie perfect for stargazing A very natural Prairie environment seclusion no amenities very isolated perfect for meditation self-awareness Personal one-on-one connection a vast array of easy to travel to areas” Dinosaur tracks, Santa Fe Trail, Bent's Old Fort, and much more. If you are coming from the East traveling West on highway 50 On the West side of La Junta, CO You would make a left onto highway 10 Highway 10 goes towards Walsenburg, CO You will be traveling West by Southwest Until county road 11 You would make a left heading South on County road 11. The small sign will probably say CR11 But if you are coming from the West. When you come to the west end of the town of Manzanola, CO You will turn on to county road 11 When you come to a stop sign that will be Highway 10 You will cross highway 10 and continue down CR 11 After crossing three cattle guards As soon as you cross the third one There Is going to be a road to your right It may or may not have a sign But it will be county road T. You will travel down (West) that road And come to a gated fence It will State that it is a federal game reserve and no vehicles beyond this point We have permission To use the roadway You cannot camp in the reserve Or go off roading The road is a byway to our property. Remember To hook the bottom of the post first before hook in the top Of the gate It is easier that way Once you get to the watering trough You will be traveling Southwest on a pathway for vehicles You will come to a gateway Once you pass the gateway you will be back on private property From that gateway The prairie Oasis Is to your right The gateway is at the very most Southeast Corner of the property Everything South of that gateway Is someone else's private property. I hope you enjoy. Known wildlife in the area: Antelope, Coyotes, Jack rabbits, Tarantulas, Prairie dogs, Owls, Hawks, Prairie mice, Snakes, Including the prairie rattlesnake. But the chances of running into one of them would be rare. And because the rest of the property is unfenced There are occasionally cows roaming around freely. If you plan on building a fire You will have to bring your own wood. Be sure to put any fire out thoroughly. Have fun Thanks again. Mike Blanchard 970-382-1030

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Stories from the community

Aaron

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Prairie Oasis

This spot is really great for naturalists. The essence of the wild plains is here. In order to navigate around the property to find a good spot to set your tent, you will be driving on un-maintained two-track in sand -- if you don't know how to drive in sand do not try it. Rainy conditions would make these tracks too difficult and even if you could make it through you'd be making the ruts worse for others. Sometimes, the ruts are deep and occasionally the track goes over a water diversion berm -- if you have a high-clearance 4x4 but it has a long wheelbase, passing here may be impossible. The property is within ten or twenty miles of the Mountain Route of the Santa Fe Trail -- you can see the Spanish peaks to the west and you can see a prominent table mesa to the east, which is right next to Bent's Old Fort. I've heard you can see Raton Mesa from Bent's on a clear pressure-inversion day! Many burrowing owls, fox, coyotes, jackrabbits, bugs, and zero mosquitoes. We set tent on a lucky find high-ground sand patch next to the two-track, as, the bunchgrass prairie is too lumpy.

Sarah

May 2025

1 night at Prairie Oasis

We made it to the site. Wonderful, private and peaceful place. The last quarter mile is a dirt road (no gravel) with deep ruts. Made it in fine with our Sprinter, but unfortunately decided to bail on the site as 2" of rain was expected overnight. It would have made the exit sketchy with the slick clay. Will try again if in the area.

Other options near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

The best camping in Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, CO guide

Overview

About

Before the Wild West, there was Bent's Old Fort near the Arkansas River in La Junta, Colorado. The site was one of the first European settlements out west. It served as a peaceful trading post for trappers, traders, travelers, and members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Although "fort" is in its name, this adobe building wasn't necessarily a military installation. The U.S. Army didn't use the fort full-time until 1846.

Originally built in 1833, you can travel to Bent's Old Fort to see a reconstruction of the original structure. The building is unmistakable. It's the muddy-brown building with a round tower on two corners. It's like a short castle with an open courtyard on the inside.

Take a tour to see what trading was like in the early 1800s, before a flood of settlers came here after the Civil War. White settlers traded their goods with Native American tribes who supplied buffalo robes and buffalo skins. Inside the fort, see where people kept their horses in the shade and out of the hot sun. Rooms, where people slept, had wooden windows for air circulation, but they were expertly hidden beneath the main walls of the fort for protection and comfort.

When you're here, talk to some of the guides dressed in period costume. They truly bring this remote outpost to life. One of the men might represent William or Charles Brent, two brothers from St. Louis who went west to seek their fortunes. They built this fort in Colorado as a place for anyone and everyone, regardless of color, creed or ethnic background.

The fort was a vibrant place until 1849 when it was abandoned after 16 years. Too bad, because the history of the west might have happened differently had Bent's Old Fort survived.

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