Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Before trading began at Fort Union the Trade House's reception room was prepared for feasting. Traditionally a meal was shared between the Upper Missouri Tribes and American Fur Company employees
Between 1828 and 1867, Fort Union was the most important fur trade post on the Upper Missouri River. Here, the Assiniboine and six other Northern Plains Tribes exchanged buffalo robes and smaller furs for goods from around the world, including cloth, guns, blankets, and beads. A bastion of peaceful coexistence, the post annually traded over 25,000 buffalo robes and $100,000 in merchandise.
Map showing location of park.
White tents with reencators
43rd Annual Fort Union Rendezvous
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is set to come alive with the sights, sounds, smells and excitement of the American Frontier during the annual Rendezvous taking place June 18-21, 2026.
A firefighter wearing green pants, yellow shirt, hard hat and carrying tools puts fire on the landscape.
Prescribed Burn Planned at Fort Union Trading Post NHS
The National Park Service has scheduled a prescribed fire on federal lands in Williams County this Spring depending on environmental conditions. The current plan is to burn approximately 15 acres of grassland near the maintenance shop.
View from Missouri River bottoms of Southwest bastion
Photo by NPS Photo / Kris Baxter
Candles illuminate the Bourgeois House porch at dusk
Photo by NPS Photo / Kris Baxter
Courtyard of Fort Union Trading Post with Bourgeois House, Tipis and US Flag
Photo by NPS Photo
View of Fort Union and the Missouri River looking south
Photo by NPS Photo / Leif Halvorson
White canvas tipis in grassy area, Fort in background.
Photo by NPS / EMILY SUNBLADE