Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

15550 Highway 1804 · Williston, ND

Why you should go…

From 1829 to 1867 this was the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri River, capitalized by John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. Today you walk through a partial reconstruction rebuilt to reflect the fort in 1851, when the buffalo robe trade peaked. The visitor center and museum sit in the Bourgeois House, and the trade house, trade room and clerk's office open seasonally. No entrance pass is required.

#national historic site
#fur trade
#historic fort
#missouri river
#museum

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.