Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott, KS
A restored frontier army post around a central parade ground, with period buildings, a hospital and a tallgrass prairie plot. Allow about two hours and walk the grounds first, then enter the buildings that interest you.
Fort Scott was founded in 1842 between Fort Leavenworth and Fort Gibson and named after General Winfield Scott. The site went through three phases: an army post until 1853, a stage for rival groups during "Bleeding Kansas," and a Union supply depot during the Civil War, where Black soldiers were also recruited and trained. The roughly 7-hectare (17-acre) grounds have been a National Historic Site since October 19, 1978.
Twenty historic buildings survive around the parade ground, including officers' quarters, barracks, the hospital and the guardhouse, along with about 2 hectares (5 acres) of restored tallgrass prairie. The park offers ranger-led tours and living-history programs; check the National Park Service website for the current schedule. Allow about two hours. The site is open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Nearest town
- Fort Scott, KS
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 37.8420, -94.7030
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
© Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0National WWI Museum and Memorial
© Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
© Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
© Keith Snyder · CC BY-SA 4.0Roaring River State Park
Campsites nearby
- Gunn Park CampgroundCampsite2 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Crawford State Park Rocky Cove CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Crawford State Park Oak Point CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Crawford State Park Lakeview CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Crawford State Park Shady Rest Cabin AreaCampsite16 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
- Crawford State Park Lonesome Point CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Fort Scott National Historic Site
All campsites in Kansas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fort Scott National Historic Site?
Fort Scott National Historic Site is in Fort Scott, KS, at GPS 37.8420, -94.7030. It is about 53 mi from Joplin.
Can you camp near Fort Scott National Historic Site?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Gunn Park Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 11 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Fort Scott National Historic Site?
Places worth a stop nearby: National WWI Museum and Memorial (86 mi), Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (86 mi), Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (98 mi) and Roaring River State Park (99 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fort Scott National Historic Site?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)