Rendezvous

Rendezvous Camp with Horse Grazing on Prairie Grasses.

NPS Photo/Emily Sunblade

Fort Union Rendezvous

3rd full weekend in June. Join us and celebrate a 19th Century Fur Trade Fair that includes a variety of period arts, crafts, and music.

This annual gathering is our largest event, a time when Fort Union comes alive and best reflects the busy trade season. Over 100 Re-enactors from across the country and Canada every third weekend in June demonstrating traditional skills and lifeways.

 

 

42nd Annual Fort Union Rendezvous Poster

NPS Photo

Visitor Information

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is ready to come alive with the sights, sounds, and excitement of the American Frontier during our annual Rendezvous on the third full weekend of June. This event invites visitors of all ages to step back in time and experience the rich history and vibrant culture of the fur trade era.

The Fort Union Rendezvous promises to immerse attendees in the lifestyle and traditions of early explorers, trappers, and Native American tribes. This living history event has become a favorite among history enthusiasts, families, and adventurers, providing a unique blend of education and entertainment for everyone.

Event Highlights:

• Thrilling Reenactments: Witness exciting reenactments of significant events from the fur trade era, including demonstrations of black powder shooting and trade negotiations.
• Artisan Demonstrations: Discover traditional skills as artisans showcase crafts such as blacksmithing, pottery, spinning and weaving, and frontier cooking.
• Shopping Opportunities: Explore our numerous historical vendors offering unique items.

Best of all, admission and parking are free! Join us for an unforgettable experience at Fort Union Rendezvous.

 

2024 Rendezvous Schedule

41st Annual Fort Union Rendezvous, June 13-16, 2024
All times Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Park Hours, Visitor Center & Traders Row Hours of Operations 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM CDT
Camp and Demonstration Hours of Operations 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT

Thursday June 13th, 2024 - 10:00-2:00 CDT - Kids Day

Kids Day Activities

Explore Fort Union from 10:00 am to 2:00 PM Central Time! There will be crafts for kids and demonstrations happening around the entire Rendezvous Camp! 

Special Kids Day demonstrations will taking place every half hour from 10 to 2:

• Plains Indian Sign Language with Cedric Halvorson and Brandon Delvo
• Flintlock Firing Demonstrations with Sawyer Flynn 
• Hide Demonstrations with Billy Maxwell
• Canoes of the Fur Trade with Jeff Brown

Full schedule of demonstrations below!

Thursday June 13th, 2024

9:00-5:00	Visitor Center and Trade House
10:00-4:30	Rendezvous Camp and Traders Row
10:00-4:00	Blacksmithing, Blacksmith Shop
10:00-4:00	Hide Demonstrations, Billy Maxwell, Hunter’s Shack
10:00-4:00	Canoes of the Fur Trade, Jeff Brown, Camp Site
1:00	Pottery, Gordon Lucht, Rendezvous Camp Awning
10:00-2:00	Kids Day 2024 Various Locations

Friday June 14th, 2024

9:00-5:00	Visitor Center and Trade House
10:00-4:30	Rendezvous Camp and Traders Row
10:00-4:00	Blacksmithing, Blacksmith Shop
10:00-4:00	Canoes of the Fur Trade, Jeff Brown, Camp Site
10:00-4:00	Hide Demonstrations, Billy Maxwell Hunter’s Shack
10:00-4:00	Bateliers: Boatmen on the Upper Missouri, Keelboat Talk, Cedric Halvorson & Sawyer Flynn, Keelboat
10:30	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
11:00-4:00	Pottery, Gordon Lucht, Rendezvous, Camp Awning
11:00	Period Fabric & Trade Goods, Kathy Elijah, Clerk’s Office
12:00	Gunsmithing, Mark Morain, Camp Site
1:00	Period Fabric & Trade Goods, Kathy Elijah, Clerk’s Office
2:00	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
3:00	Fort Hunter & Frontier Cooking, Terry Madden & Chris Floyd, Camp Site

Saturday June 15th, 2024

9:00-5:00	Visitor Center and Trade House
10:00-4:30	Rendezvous Camp and Traders Row
10:00-4:00	Blacksmithing, Blacksmith Shop
10:00-4:00	Canoes of the Fur Trade, Jeff Brown, Camp Site
10:00-4:00	Hide Demonstrations, Billy Maxwell, Hunter’s Shack
10:00-4:00	Bateliers: Boatmen on the Upper Missouri, Keelboat Talk, Cedric Halvorson & Sawyer Flynn, Keelboat
10:30	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
11:00-4:00	Pottery, Gordon Lucht, Rendezvous, Camp Awning
11:00	Period Fabric & Trade Goods, Kathy Elijah, Clerk’s Office
12:00	Gunsmithing, Mark Morain, Camp Site
1:00	Period Fabric & Trade Goods, Kathy Elijah, Clerk’s Office
2:00	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
3:00	Fort Hunter & Frontier Cooking, Terry Madden & Chris Floyd, Camp Site

Sunday June 16th, 2024

9:00-5:00	Visitor Center and Trade House
10:00-3:00	Rendezvous Camp and Traders Row
10:00-3:00	Blacksmithing, Blacksmith Shop
10:00-3:00	Canoes of the Fur Trade, Jeff Brown, Camp Site
10:00-3:00	Hide Demonstrations, Billy Maxwell, Hunter’s Shack
10:00-3:00	Bateliers: Boatmen on the Upper Missouri, Keelboat Talk, Cedric Halvorson & Sawyer Flynn, Keelboat
10:30	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
11:00	Gunsmithing, Mark Morain, Camp Site
11:00-3:00	Pottery, Gordon Lucht, Rendezvous, Camp Awning
12:00	Period Fabric & Trade Goods, Kathy Elijah, Clerk’s Office
1:00	Flintlock Firing Demonstration, Front Bank
2:00	Fort Hunter & Frontier Cooking, Terry Madden & Chris Floyd, Camp Site

 

Participant Information

Are you interested in participating in the Fort Union Rendezvous? Please first read the full Safety and Authenticity Standards for Fort Fort Union Trading Post NHS, and then contact the site at 701-572-9083 for more infomation.

Basic Information

The staff at Fort Union Trading Post NHS seeks a historically accurate depiction of life at Fort Union Trading Post NHS. To that end, certain standards are expected of all participants.

Gear and Clothing

We concentrate on the period 1828-1867. Clothing, camp equipment and materials should be representative of that period.
The primary focus of Rendezvous events is to portray and re-create of historic lifeways and material culture; including activities, camping equipment, fashion, and weapons, common on the Northern Plains during Fort Union's period of significance. We ask that you make friendly, personal contacts with our visitors. Such contacts will help create an interactive learning event.

Interpretation Guidelines

All interpretations should highlight the interactions among the following groups during the early to mid-19th century at Fort Union:

1. American Indians from Upper Missouri Tribes:
   This includes the Assiniboine, Crow, Blackfeet, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, and Lakota and Dakota Sioux.

2. Euro-Americans:
   This group encompasses employees of the American Fur Company, trappers, independent traders, hunters, rivermen, missionaries, enslaved individuals, visiting artists and scientists, and military personnel.

3. Interactions among Euro-Americans:
   Focus on those who lived, worked, traded, or visited Fort Union during this period.

Your role is to help visitors understand the daily activities of these groups, the challenges they faced, and how they managed those challenges. Sharing your experiences will enrich the fur trade story at Fort Union Trading Post.

This event is co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Friends of Fort Union Trading Post, based in Williston, North Dakota. The Fort Union Muzzle Loaders Association will assist in maintaining a safe campsite.

Important Participation Guidelines:

• All participants must sign a VIP volunteer agreement to camp or participate at Rendezvous.
• Help protect and preserve the site's history and resources for the education and enjoyment of future visitors while ensuring your safety and that of current visitors.

Campfire Regulations

1. Campfire Areas:
   Campfires are permitted only in the designated mown area of the camp.

2. Fire Pit Policy:
   Fire pits are no longer allowed at Fort Union to minimize impacts on fragile archaeological areas. Disturbing soil or sediment for any reason is prohibited.

3. Setting Up Campfires:

   • Please encircle your fire area completely with available rocks and cover exposed ground with a firm layer of sand. Sand will be provided in the Rendezvous area.
   • Fires should only be built to the size necessary for cooking purposes.

4. Fire Safety:

   • Exercise caution with all fire sources, including candles, even if there are no active fire bans in effect.
   • Never leave a burning fire unattended.
   • Fire extinguishers, water cans, and flappers will be available at all firewood pallets for safety.

5. Braziers:

   • Braziers are allowed in camp. Fort Union has many braziers available for volunteer use; please see fort staff to check one out. Hardwood coal will also be provided for these braziers.

6. Gas or Propane Fires:

   • Self-contained gas or propane camp stoves are permitted but must be small and table-top sized. Large BBQ grills are not allowed.
   • These items must be concealed like all non-period items during the day.
   • They cannot be left unattended while in use.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to preserving the history of Fort Union!