Fort Union Rendezvous
- Dates
- Expected June 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, 15550 Highway 1804, Williston, ND 58801 (on the North Dakota-Montana border, about 26 miles southwest of Williston)
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 1, 2026
Fort Union Rendezvous's 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. The last festival was 18 to 21 June 2026 in Williston, ND. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Fort Union Rendezvous is the National Park Service's biggest annual event at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, on the Missouri River at the North Dakota-Montana border. Over several days each June, more than 100 reenactors and living historians recreate a 19th-century fur trade fair inside the accurately reconstructed fort, black powder shooting demonstrations, period arts, crafts and music, interpretive talks and reenactments of historical trade negotiations, and admission and parking are free
What people love
Visitors repeatedly describe the site and its living history as a highlight, calling it well done and worth the effort to reach this remote spot; several say they spent far longer than planned and rank it among the best stops on a Dakotas trip, praising the practical demonstrations and the chance to learn about the fur trade and the region's Native American trading traditions
Last time around (2026)
The 43rd Annual Fort Union Rendezvous ran June 18-21, 2026 as a 19th Century Fur Trade Fair, with more than 100 reenactors, demonstrations of black powder shooting, period music performances and reenactments of historical trade negotiations, plus period arts and crafts. Admission and parking were free
See it before you go
See the grounds
Costumes & what to wear
Do I need a costume?
Visitors attend for free and do not need a costume, the period portrayal is done by the living historians in the encampment
Costume rules
For participating reenactors and living historians, clothing, camp equipment and materials should be representative of the fur-trade period; posted guidelines describe period garments (drop-front or French-fly breeches or pants, leggings and breechclouts, a blanket coat, capote, short jacket or gentleman's frock coat). General-public visitors are not required to dress in period
Weapons policy
Living-history demonstrations include black powder shooting; period weapons are handled by demonstrators
Joining in
Visitors can watch black powder shooting demonstrations, period arts and crafts, traditional music, interpretive talks and reenactments of historical trade negotiations, and explore the reconstructed fort and its encampment. Scheduled activities have run roughly 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Getting there
How do I get to Fort Union Rendezvous?
By car
Most people drive to Fort Union Rendezvous. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
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Where
Map shows the centre of Williston. The venue's exact point is not confirmed yet.
Venue
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, 15550 Highway 1804, Williston, ND 58801 (on the North Dakota-Montana border, about 26 miles southwest of Williston)
Camping & Accommodation
No camping or lodging details for Fort Union Rendezvous yet.
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Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
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Pricing
Historical context
The Fort Union Rendezvous is a living-history event recreating the 19th-century fur trade at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. The historic Fort Union, built and owned by the American Fur Company, was the principal trading post on the upper Missouri River from 1828 to 1867, where the Assiniboine and other Northern Plains nations traded buffalo robes and furs for manufactured goods. The fur-trade era was followed by the loss of Native lands and ways of life across the Northern Plains. The site is administered by the National Park Service.
National Park Service - Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site ↗
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