Fort Scott National Historic Site

11/02/2026

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its 45th Annual Candlelight Tour Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, 2026. Tickets are available online at fofs.ludus.com for $8 per person; children 5 and under are free. Tickets are nonrefundable. Early purchase is recommended, as the event frequently sells out.

This year’s program, “Strength and Resilience in Fort Scott,” explores how Fort Scott’s residents found ways to build a strong community despite numerous challenges. 1,000 candle lanterns will illuminate the site as reenactors, including you, bring 19th-century Fort Scott to life.

Guided tours last one hour and depart every 15 minutes. Tours run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 5 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday. Each tour ends with warm drinks and snacks provided by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Visitors should arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in, and get oriented. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, as the tours are outdoors and follow paved sidewalks.

NPS Image of the historic two-story white Post Hospital illuminated by lanterns lining the brick pathway at night.

10/12/2026

Fort Scott NHS will offer four special candle lantern tours on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, as part of its Murder and Mayhem at the Fort program. Tour leaders will share lesser-known stories of tragedy and macabre events from Fort Scott’s 19th century history, focusing on the 1840s through the 1860s.

Tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a new tour starting every 30 minutes. Tours are free and open to the public, but space is limited and reservations are required. The park will begin accepting reservations on Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:30 a.m. To reserve a spot, call 620-223-0310.

Those with reservations should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled tour to allow time for parking and orientation. Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes, as tours take place entirely outdoors on sidewalks.

Image is a collage of drawings depicting some of the violent events associated with the fort.

10/09/2026

Did you check the weather before you went outside this morning?

Fort Scott has one of the oldest weather records in the American West. Army surgeons started measuring the weather at the fort in 1843. They wrote down temperatures and other weather details up to four times a day—just before sunrise, at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.

This was one of the surgeon’s many jobs as the person in charge of health at the fort. The weather information helped the surgeon understand the environment and how it affected the soldiers’ health. By looking at patterns, the surgeon could be ready for health problems that happened again and again.

The original records were sent every month to the Surgeon General’s office. Even though they were never officially published, later on, railroad survey teams and boundary surveyors used them when working west across the country.

Find our more at: https://go.nps.gov/meteorology

NPS photo of an overcast sky above an Infantry Barracks.

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

10/01/2026

Temperatures are fall…ing. This is a great time to have a quieter, more relaxing time in your national park.

Cooler weather makes outdoor living-history and prairie walks especially pleasant; check the web page calendar for any events. www.nps.gov/fosc/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

The national park’s buildings are open from Friday–Tuesday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. but the grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ after sunset. Quietest windows to visit are 8:30–10:30 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m. for the calmest building and prairie exploration.

Stop in the Visitor Center to get the latest information and help personalize your visit.

NPS Photo of a cool morning on the fort's parade ground.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/26/2026

Join us at for National Public Lands Day from 9 am until 1 pm and help clean exotic woody plants from the tallgrass prairie. The first 50 volunteers will get a free one-day entry pass to federal public lands, valid for up to one year after the event. Enjoy your National Park!

It’s National Public Lands Day, one of the nation’s largest single-day volunteer efforts and a celebration of the places that connect us to nature, history, recreation, and each other.

From picking up litter and restoring trails to removing invasive species or simply lending a helping hand, there are plenty of ways to care for the public lands we all share.

How are you giving back to your public lands today?

Find ways to get involved at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm

09/21/2026

Join this Saturday, September 26, for National Public Lands Day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The first 50 volunteers will get a free one-day entry pass to federal public lands, valid for up to one year after the event. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive and exotic woody plants from the tallgrass prairie. This includes sumac and walnut saplings, and blackberry bushes.
Tools, gloves, and other equipment will be provided by the park; participants should wear closed-toe shoes and layered clothing. Please bring sunscreen and insect spray.
Kids under 12 must stay with their parents and pets are not allowed.

Either sign up at www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000PsmhBYAR or just show up and help.

This year's theme, Caring for Our Shared America, is a reminder that our parks, trails, forests, and waterways are national treasures that we must care for so future generations can enjoy them like we do.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Fort Scott National Historic Site, your National Park. We appreciate your time and hope you enjoy your day with us

NPS Image of volunteers clearing invasive and exotic plants for National Public Lands Day.

09/02/2026

Learn about Labors on the Frontier this Saturday through Monday, September 5-7, 2026.

Join us on on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., enjoy a variety of living history demonstrations as you explore the labors on the fort. Monday will be Artillery demonstrations at 9, 10, and 11 a.m.

Visit with an officer’s wife practicing needlepoint, a laundress doing laundry, learn about caring for your horse from a Dragoon soldier, log hewing with an infantry soldier, and join ranger guided tours at 1:00 p.m. All programs are free and open to the public.

NPS Photos of labors and leisure activities at Fort Scott.

08/31/2026

How did you feel when you moved into your first house, or after a major remodel?

In 1844, Company A of the 1st Dragoons may have felt this way after their barracks were completed. No more living in tents in the hot summers, cold winters, rain, and snow. We share some of that same excitement with the reopening of the Dragoons Barracks after completing the rehabilitation from a water line break.

Visitors can once again explore the mess hall, married non-commissioned and squad rooms in the Dragoon barracks. Look deeper into the lives of enlisted men and their families stationed at Fort Scott in the 1840s. We encourage everyone to explore all the historical buildings and exhibits again or for the first time!

Visit the virtual tour of the Dragoon Barracks: www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualbarracks.htm

NPS photos: Photos of the mess hall and of the married noncommissioned officer’s quarters in the Dragoon Barracks.

08/25/2026

Saturday, August 29, 2026, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard (CGMCG) from Fort Riley, with activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors of all ages are invited to witness living history as the Army quarters their horses in the Dragoon Stables, echoing practices from the 1840s and 1850s. Wagon and mule team rides will be available throughout the event.

The CGMCG preserves Fort Riley’s legacy, showcasing the discipline and tradition of America’s mounted forces. Soldiers and horses, outfitted in authentic uniforms and equipment, present polished displays of cavalry horsemanship and military tradition.

Fort Scott and Fort Riley share a historic connection: Fort Scott closed in 1853, the same year Fort Riley was established. Both posts played key roles in protecting travelers along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails.



US Army Photo of the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard Soldiers from the US Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

08/22/2026

Jr. Ranger Adventure Day is underway. Join us for fun with water, learn about how water was used at the fort, and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Adventures will last until 2pm. It is good clean fun for the whole family.

NPS Photo of youth learning about a waterwheel like what was used at the fort’s mill. Second photo of galling water as the soldiers and laundries might have done.