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National Historic Site · Kansas

Fort Scott National Historic Site

National Historic Site in Kansas. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Historic Site
StateKansas
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkHot Springs (248 mi)
Closest airportJLN (49 mi)
Picture of the post hospital with the parade ground and trees in the background.
Picture of the Post Hospital Photo: NPS Photo

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Kansas.

In the park service’s words

Promises made and broken! Who deserves to be free? The fight for freedom! Soldiers fighting settlers! Each of these stories is a link in the chain of events that encircled Fort Scott from 1842-1873. All of the site's structures, its parade ground, and its tallgrass prairie bear witness to this era when the country was forged from a young republic into a united transcontinental nation.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Healthy Parks, Healthy People (10 to 20 Minutes): Fort Scott encourages outdoor exercise to improve health. Get out and walk to help reduce stress, improve brain function, and instill a sense of well-being. Take advantage of a gentle stroll through Fort Scott's beautiful grounds.
  • Discovering Life at Fort Scott (15 to 120 Minutes): Living History Programs
  • Virtual 360 Fort Scott Tour (60 to 120 Minutes): Take a tour of Fort Scott through a series of 360 degree panoramic views of the buildings, furnished rooms and exhibit areas.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. Park Visitor Center and historic building hours listed under 'Visitor Centers.' Visitors may walk the park grounds, walkways, and parking lot from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset, except during periods of snow, ice, or other inclement weather conditions that make the grounds unsafe.

Getting there

Fort Scott National Historic Site is located in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas. U.S. Highways 69 and 54 intersect here. Fort Scott is about 90 miles south of Kansas City and 60 miles northwest of Joplin, Missouri. It is 4 miles from the Kansas-Missouri border. Signs directing visitors to Fort Scott are posted on Highway 69 for visitors coming from the north and the south and on Highway 54 for visitors coming from the east and the west.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Joplin Regional Airport (JLN) Joplin, MO No road route 49 Regional
Springfield Branson National Airport (SGF) Springfield, MO No road route 83 Regional
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) Kansas City, MO No road route 101 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Visitor Center: Mon 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Tue 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun 8:30AM - 4:30PM. The Visitor Center (VC) is in the Post Hospital. Inside the VC is our bookstore, passport cancellation station, Junior Ranger books, and where most site tours begin.

Weather

Spring and autumn are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters are mild with periods of cold weather, snowfall, and ice storms. Thunderstorms, some severe, are common throughout the spring and summer. During periods of severe weather, visitors should seek shelter, as the area is prone to lightning strikes. Visitors are advised to check the weather prior to traveling.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Hot Springs, about 248 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Fort Scott National Historic Site?

No entrance fee.

Where is Fort Scott National Historic Site?

In Kansas. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Joplin Regional Airport, about 49 miles away.

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