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Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

National Historic Site · MT,ND

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.

Official NPS page →

Entrance Fees

This park is fee-free.

Things to Do

Become a Jr. Ranger and Jr. Trader at Fort Union

Kids of all ages are invited to explore Fort Union Trading Post NHS through the Junior Ranger & Junior Trader programs! Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at the Bourgeois House Visitor Center. The program typically takes around 1 hour to complete.

Tour Fort Union Trading Post

Tour through history as you explore Fort Union Trading Post NHS. .

Visit Fort Union's Trade House

The Trade House was one of the most important buildings at Fort Union. It was in the Reception Room where Tribal leaders met with the American Fur Company Traders to discuss the terms of the trade and also where stories were told, and small feasts were held. Today it is open seasonally as a stage for third person living history interpretation. 

Watch the Fort Union Trading Post Orientation Film

Learn how Fort Union Trading Post became an epicenter for trade between the Assiniboine and other Northern Plains Tribes and Euro-American fur traders.

Visitor Centers

  • Bourgeois House Visitor Center

Source: National Park Service.

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