Fort Scott
National Historic Site
VISITOR INFORMATION
Operating Hours, Seasons
Fort Scott NHS is open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m from April-October and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. the rest of the year. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Fees, Costs, Rates
The fee is $3.00 per adult (age 17 and above). Golden Age, Golden Access, and Golden Eagle Passports are honored.
Directions
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. Approaches from all directions are well signed.
Transportation
To Park: The majority of visitors to
Fort Scott come by private automobile. The town is served by
Jefferson Bus Lines and also has a small airport. Larger airports
are located in Joplin and Kansas City.
In Park: Walking Tour
Recommended Activities, Park Use
Audio visual program, self guided tours, attending special events and summer interpretive programs.
Basic Visit Recommendations
A minimum of one hour is recommended to view the 12-minute audio-visual program and to walk through the buildings. Three to four hours are required to read all the exhibits and to participate in the summer interpretive programs. Activities on special event weekends go throughout the day.
Facilities and Opportunities
The visitor center and bookstore are open year round. Eleven historic buildings containing 33 historically furnished rooms are open to the public. The site also contains 3 museum areas and a 12-minute audio-visual program.
The site includes five acres of restored tallgrass prairie. A short walking trail takes you through a portion of the prairie.
The site is open daily for self-guided tours. Guided tours and interpretive programs are offered on the weekends during the summer. Guided tours at other times of year are available for groups by advance arrangement. During the spring, middle school and elementary education programs are presented. The site also hosts five special events per year and participates in a sixth in conjunction with the community.
Lodging and camping are available in the town of Fort Scott.
Food and supplies are available in the town of Fort Scott.
Western National Parks Association, a non-profit cooperating association, operates an outlet in the visitor center. Sales items include books, postcards, maps, posters, an audio-visual selection, and souvenirs. A mail order catalog is available.
Parking, restrooms, and most first floors are accessible to those in wheelchairs. The audio-visual program is also accessible and is closed-captioned. A photo book and video tour are available for the mobility impaired. A wheelchair is available for onsite use at the visitor center.
Reservations, Permits
Reservations are required for the following three activities:
- Guided tours: Groups should make at least three weeks advance notice.
- Education Programs: Reservations begin January 15 for elementary education programs. For secondary education programs, reservations should be made three weeks in advance.
- Frontier Candlelight Tour: Tickets go on sale the last Saturday of October. Tickets are $6.00 each.
Permits are required for commercial filming and for other special uses.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Spring and autumn are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summers are generally hot and humid, while winters are mild with periods of cold weather and varying snowfall. Thunderstorms are common throughout the spring and summer. Heavy coats should be worn in winter, while persons traveling in other seasons should bring rain gear in case of thunderstorms.
Safety Information
- Running through the buildings and climbing on walls, wagons, artillery pieces and other features may cause injury.
- Walkways are uneven in places and stairs are steep. Please watch your step and use the handrails.
- During periods of rain and snow, exterior stairways are slippery and should not be used.
- Seek shelter during thunderstorms, as lightning strikes are common.
- Keep a safe distance from weapons and horses during demonstrations
Visitor Impacts
Some buildings may be closed during periods of snowfall and heavy rain.
Visitation
In 2001, there were 41,420 visitors. The majority of the visitors come in the spring and summer. The slowest months are January and February.
Acreage
There are 16.69 acres of land at the site, all of which is federally owned.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
In Town
Dolly the Trolley, Ralph
Richards Museum, National Cemetery,
Victorian Homes, Historic Downtown, Antique Shops
Related Sites
Adair Cabin State Historic
Site
Marais des Cygnes State Historic Site
Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site
Prairie State Park
Kansas Forts Network
Kansas State Historical Society
Area National Park Sites
Brown vs. Board of Education
National Historic Site
Fort Larned National Historic Site.
Nicodemus National Historic Site
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
George Washington Carver National Monument
Wilson Creek National Battlefield
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Additional Information
For further information on Fort Scott National Historic Site,
- Call (620)223-0310
- E-Mail fosc_superintendent@nps.gov
- or Write to:
Fort Scott National Historic Site
P.O. Box 918
Fort Scott, KS 66701-0918
For more information on the town of Fort Scott, call 1-800 245-FORT.
