Green River Rendezvous History

Sixteen Rendezvous were held during the years 1824-1840, the height of the  Rocky Mountain Fur Trade when the beaver top hat was an essential part of every respectable urban man's wardrobe. Of those 16 gatherings, six were located at the Green River Rendezvous site, eight miles west of Pinedale near Daniel, Wyoming. It was at this site where famous mountain men like Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Thomas Fitzpatrick carved their legends and opened the way for settlement of the West and supplied lustrous beaver pelts for the fashion industries of Europe and the eastern United States. Trappers, travelers and Native American Indians all gathered to barter, sell and gamble away the pelts and skins they'd gathered through the winter from hard, dangerous labor. Guns, jewelry, supplies and other trade goods were also swapped. These original Rendezvous were the best opportunity to lay in supplies for the coming winter, renew acquaintances, tell tall tales, drink, laugh and get rowdy.

Green River Rendezvous Pageant

July 10, 2016 1:00 pm at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds
The live, historical re-enactment has been a Pinedale area tradition since 1936 where community residents relive the original Green River Rendezvous of the 1800's. The rodeo grounds come alive with bearded, buck skinned trappers and mountain men of long ago as they gallop, holler, fight, boast, and trade and barter goods. Representatives of coming civilization are also on the scene: Eliza Spaulding and Narcissa Whitman, the first pioneer women to travel over South Pass, stroll in once again.

American Mountain Man & Plains Indian Encampment

July 7-10, 2016 at the Museum of the Mountain Man

Activities, tours, and campfire talks on the historical significance of the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade provides entertaining and educational Rendezvous events for all ages, including free living history demonstrations of fur trapper and Plains Indian lifestyles, field trips, and children's activities. 

Prairie of the Mass

July 10, 2016  10:00 am at De Smet Monument, Daniel, Wyoming
The influence of Belgium-born Jesuit missionary, Father De Smet is realized at morning's calm to celebrate the first ever Mass on the prairie near the original Rendezvous site on July 5, 1840 where thousands of Indians, trappers and fur traders gathered. The De Smet Monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 28, 1970.

Green River Rendezvous Site

Travel four miles north of Pinedale on US Highway 191, turn left on Green River Road, enter in at sign on right side of the road, drive up a bit, and walk on up

By far, the site of the 1833, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1839, 1840 rendezvous is one of Pinedale’s most commanding scenes and was declared a U.S. National Historical Landmark in 1961. It’s no wonder six of the sixteen Rocky Mountain Rendezvous were located right here in the Upper Green River Valley where Horse Creek meets the Green.

Trader's Row

Located on the east end of Pine Street/US Highway 191

Buy and sell goods Thursday through Saturday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  It will have lots of rendezvous fun with activities such as the Candy Canon blasting throughout the day, a bow shoot for all ages, a frying pan toss, and a "Tell a Tall Tale" contest.  

Plan ahead:
If you plan to visit Pinedale during the 80th Green River Rendezvous, make lodging plans well in advance. Many events take place outdoors, so bring a hat and water bottle, bug repellent, an umbrella, sunblock, good walking shoes, and plenty of mountain man spirit!