Missouri River Headwaters State Park, Three Forks Montana

Established where Lewis and Clark discovered the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers joining to form the Missouri River, Missouri River Headwaters served as a key location to early Native Americans and pioneers.

Overview

Sacagawea, a young Native American woman, was taken captive at Missouri River Headwaters and returned with the Lewis and Clark Expedition as an interpreter and guide in 1805, to the headwaters which form the beginning of the Missouri River. Sacagawea then guided the explorers into what is now the Gallatin County area near the Yellowstone River.

The three rivers forming the Missouri Headwaters, the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison Rivers, all served as a prime hunting area for Native American tribes, like the Blackfeet, Shoshone, Flathead, and Crow. Famous pioneers like Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, William Sublette, and Kit Carson also explored the Missouri Headwaters.

Location

The 532-acre Missouri Headwaters State Park is situated 4,045 feet high and is located 31 miles from Bozeman, Montana, off I-90, just a few miles from Three Forks.

Missouri River Headwaters State Park
Three Forks, Montana 59752
(406) 285-3610

Directions

Take I-90 East of Bozeman and head 4 miles northeast of Three Forks, off of Hwy 205, then onto Hwy 286 to Missouri Headwaters State Park.

Activities

• Cave Tours at Lewis and Clark State Park
  Cave Tours given May 1 - September 30 take visitors about 2 miles on a naturally air-conditioned, winding, underground trail through limestone rooms near the Jefferson River.
• Wildlife Viewing
  May include 250 bird species and other wildlife such as: beaver, mink, river otter, deer, and moose.
• Outdoor interpretive signs highlighting area history and culture
• Picnic areas
• Fishing
  Three Fork’s Chamber of Commerce lists Droulliard Fishing Access (hosting six camp sites, trails, toilets, and a boat launch) as a popular site for trout fishing. Other sites off the Missouri Headwaters and area rivers include: Williams Bridge, Sappington, Cobblestone, Grey Cliff, Black's Ford.
• Short hiking and biking trails
• Camping
  Missouri Headwaters Campground, located east of Three Forks, 3 miles north of US HWY 286.
• Rafting
  Water enthusiasts enjoy Class I river conditions on their own or with area guides and outfitters.
• Headwaters Heritage Museum in Three Forks, Montana
  Features displays Lewis and Clark artifacts, items from the pioneer fur trade, Native Americans, and area railroad history.
  Open June 1-Sept 30, 9am to 5pm, Monday – Saturday, and 11am to 3pm, Sunday
  202 Main Street, Three Forks, MT 59752 406-285-4778
• Scenic Drives
  Driving west along the Jefferson River to Lemhi Pass, visitors can explore the area where Lewis and Clark first crossed the Continental Divide.
  Driving east, visitors can check out Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies, or follow the Yellowstone River to Pompey's Pillar, a National Monument, located 15 miles east of Billings, Montana, to see William Clark's signature carved on this sandstone bluff.