Old Fort Benton

Step through the gates of Old Fort Benton and into the birthplace of Montana. Located along the banks of the Missouri River in Fort Benton, MT, this reconstructed 1846 trading post was once the last fur trading hub on the Upper Missouri. Here, Blackfeet and other Indigenous nations exchanged buffalo robes for beads, blankets, cookware, and goods brought upriver by steamboat. Today, Old Fort Benton stands as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Montana—and one of the most storied sites in the American West.

The fort has been meticulously rebuilt on its original footprint, with a blockhouse, bastions, and trade store restored using traditional methods and materials. You’ll find immersive exhibits on the fur trade era, Blackfeet diplomacy, steamboat travel, and military presence. Period furnishings, authentic artifacts, and interpretive signage bring the 1800s to life. Step into the trade store, wander through the warehouse, and visit the blacksmith and carpenter’s shops to experience how life and labor shaped the early West.

Don’t miss the Bourgeois House, home to the fort managers’ quarters and the clerk’s office. Plus, be sure to explore the council room in the Bourgeois House, which features the Starr Gallery of Western Art. The gallery features sculptor Bob Scriver’s No More Buffalo collection, and rare Karl Bodmer prints that capture Montana’s landscapes and Indigenous cultures in the 1830s.

As a designated National Historic Landmark, Old Fort Benton is just the beginning of what this river town has to offer. Dive deeper into the region’s past at the Museum of the Upper Missouri, which highlights Fort Benton’s role as a bustling transportation and shipping center. Then, explore 20th century prairie life at the Museum of the Northern Great Plains, or gain insight into Montana’s rugged terrain at the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center. Planning to stay a while? Book a night at the beautifully restored Grand Union Hotel, once heralded as “the finest hotel between St. Louis and Seattle,” where each room offers views of either the scenic Missouri River or historic Old Fort Benton.

Open from late spring through early fall, Old Fort Benton welcomes history lovers, heritage travelers, and curious families eager to experience Montana’s roots. Whether you're exploring steamboat lore or learning about trade between Indigenous nations and European fur traders, this fort isn’t just a museum. It’s where Montana’s story begins.