About Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Weather in western North Dakota can be harsh, with extremes in temperature and sudden, violent storms. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Summers are warm with average high temperatures in the 80s-90s May through September. Winters are cold with average lows in the single digits December through February. Wind is…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Montana, North Dakota. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Hours are in the Central time zone.
Activities
Getting There
Located on North Dakota Highway 1804 right at the Montana and North Dakota state line. From Williston, ND, approximately 25 miles to the southwest via ND Highways 2 & 1804. From Sidney, MT, approximately 25 miles to the northeast, via MT Highways 200 & 58. Commercial flights and rental cars are available in both Williston, ND and Sidney, MT. Amtrak passenger train service and rental cars are available in Williston, ND.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Tour Fort Union Trading Post
Tour through history as you explore Fort Union Trading Post NHS. .
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…
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…
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…
Visitor Centers
Bourgeois House Visitor Center
Located in the center of the fort's courtyard is the Bourgeois House Visitor Center. The reconstructed building documents Fort Union's life and history through exhibits…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
