Fort UnionOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

A Trading Post on the Upper Missouri

Fort Union was established in 1828 by John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. It became a fur trading post on the Upper Missouri River. The fort operated for 39 years, until 1867, a longer span than any other frontier post. Its location near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, on what is now the North Dakota/Montana border, made it a central point for trade with Northern Plains tribes, including the Assiniboine, Crow, Blackfeet, Cree, Ojibway, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, and Dakota.

At the request of the Assiniboine Nation, Fort Union was built as a private commercial establishment, not a military installation. This facilitated economic and social exchange. Tribes traded buffalo robes, beaver pelts, and other furs for manufactured goods from around the world, such as guns, beads, blankets, knives, cookware, and cloth. Between the 1830s and 1850s, the fort employed up to 100 people and annually traded over 25,000 buffalo robes, generating over $100,000 in merchandise sales. This period saw intermarriage and participation in tribal ceremonies.

From Fur Trade to Fort Buford

The fur trade on the Upper Missouri began to decline in the 1850s. This was partly due to changing fashion trends, as silk and woolen hats replaced beaver hats, shifting demand to bison robes. The balance between cultures further shifted with increased westward migration of white settlers during and after the Civil War. In 1866, the U.S. Army built Fort Buford, a military post, three miles east of Fort Union. This was to protect the Missouri River transportation route and growing Euro-American settlements. The following year, in 1867, the Army purchased Fort Union from its last private owner, the Northwest Fur Company. The structures of Fort Union were then dismantled, and the salvaged timber and stone were repurposed for construction at Fort Buford. Little of the original fort remained, but its historical significance led to its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. A full-scale reconstruction of Fort Union, based on archaeological excavations and historical drawings, was undertaken by the National Park Service from 1985 to 1991. This aimed to reflect its appearance in 1851 at the peak of the buffalo robe trade.

• —Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site — The reconstructed fort depicts its appearance in 1851. Visitors can walk through the palisaded walls, visit the Bourgeois House, and see the Trade House.
• —Bourgeois House — This two-story building served as the residence and office for the fort's manager. It now houses a visitor center with exhibits, a bookstore, and restrooms.
• —Trade House — This was the central point where Native American tribes and traders exchanged furs and other goods. Living history interpreters explain the trading process and the types of items exchanged.
• —Southwest Bastion — One of two bastions at the fort's corners, these defensive structures offered views of the surrounding area. Visitors can climb into them to see the fort's layout.
• —Interpretive Trail to the Confluence — This trail leads to the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. It offers information on the landscape that drew both Native American tribes and fur traders to this location.
• —Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Overlook — From this point, visitors can observe where the two rivers meet. The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center nearby provides exhibits on the area's geography, geology, and history.
• —Mandan/Hidatsa Village Historic Site (Marker) — Historical markers indicate the presence of Mandan and Hidatsa communities in the area. These markers highlight their presence and influence on the region's trade and culture before European contact.

The period from late spring through early fall (May to September) offers pleasant temperatures for outdoor exploration of the fort and trails. Special events, such as the Fort Union Rendezvous in mid-June and the Indian Arts Showcase in early August, provide living history demonstrations. Summer has longer daylight hours. Road construction is common in warm months and may affect travel time.

Avoid visiting in winter (October to April). The Visitor Center remains open on most winter weekdays, but seasonal hours vary, and some outdoor exhibits may be limited. North Dakota winters can be severe, with rapidly changing road conditions and cold temperatures, making travel difficult.

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is on North Dakota Highway 1804, about 25 miles southwest of Williston, North Dakota, and 24 miles northeast of Sidney, Montana. Commercial flights and car rentals are available in both Williston and Sidney. Amtrak's Empire Builder serves Williston, where rental vehicles can be secured.

There is no public transportation directly serving the park, so a personal vehicle is necessary. Parking lots are available, including a larger west parking lot for RVs and buses, and a smaller east parking lot closer to the fort with accessible spaces. The site is explored on foot, with maintained paths. Check current road conditions, especially in winter, as weather can affect travel.