Krasnogorodsk was founded in 1464 as Krasny Gorodets and was a fortress protecting Pskov from the southwest—one of the directions the Livonian Order was likely to advance from.

In the beginning of the 15th century, together with Pskov, the area was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Krasnogorodsky District was established, with the administrative center in the settlement of Krasnogorodskoye (currently Krasnogorodsk).

The governorates were abolished as well, and the district became a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast.

On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established Velikiye Luki Oblast.

In order to visit the zone, a permit issued by the local Federal Security Service department is required.

[13] Krasnogorodsk is connected by roads with Opochka and with Kārsava in Latvia, and has access to the European route E262, running from Ostrov to Kaunas via Rēzekne and Daugavpils.