Fort Buenaventura Rendezvous

Fort Buenaventura Rendezvous returns to the banks of the Weber River in Ogden for a full Memorial Day weekend focused on the fur trade era. You move through canvas camps and trading areas set up inside Fort Buenaventura Park, where living-history participants recreate mountain man routines in real time, not behind glass.

Plan to spend time watching skill demonstrations and competitions that defined frontier work, from traditional contests to scheduled black powder shoots. The fort grounds keep you close to the action, and the Wasatch peaks sit in clear view behind the period-accurate camp setups.

For the best pace, arrive early, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings when the highest concentration of competitions and active traders is typically underway. Tickets run $2, and you will want a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy walking shoes for open, uneven ground along the fort and river paths. Park in the designated Fort Buenaventura lots first, then use nearby overflow options in Ogden if they fill; if rain moves in, some outdoor events may pause, but covered trading areas usually stay open. Pets are generally discouraged near the black powder ranges due to noise.

Between demonstrations, you can browse handcrafted goods, grab simple fare from local vendors, or take a quiet river walk before looping back to the camps. If you want to extend the weekend, we recommend staying in downtown Ogden for easy access to dining, then using Lake.com to compare regional rentals if you prefer more space and mountain views, plus quick access to nearby canyon trails.