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Missouri Headwaters State Park

Three Forks Montana

Listing Type: State Park
City: Three Forks Montana
Region: Yellowstone Country
406-994-4042
http://fwp.state.mt.us


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Within the boundaries of this scenic park the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the 2,300 mile Missouri River. The Missouri Headwaters area was a geographical focal point important to early Native Americans trappers, traders and settlers. Coveting the regions bountiful resources, the Flathead, Bannock and Shoshoni Indians competed for control of the area as did the trappers and settlers who followed. Considering it an essential point in the geography of this western part of the continent, Meriwether Lewis wrote the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows which appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains. The legendary Sacajawea was captured here as a child and eventually returned as a member of the Corps of Discovery. Another member of this expedition, John Colter, later made several trips to this area in search of furs and began his famous run nearby. Pioneers slowly settled the surrounding area and transformed it into profitable grazing and farming land. Missouri Headwaters State Park preserves much of the region's abundant wildlife, lush, vegetation, and scenic beauty that have attracted people for thousands of years.

The park provides a 23 site campground, picnic areas, foot trails to points of interest, and interpretive displays of the area's cultural and natural history. River floating and fishing are popular activities. The park is 530 acres in size and is 4,022 feet in elevation. The site offers vault toilets, group use area, RV dump station, grills/firerings, picnic tables, and drinking water. Campers may stay 7 days during a 30 day period and enjoy a golf course and museum located nearby in Three Forks.

Missouri Headwaters State Park Sponsors the Summer Speaker Series, Saturday evenings at 7 pm in the park's picnic area. Following each presentation is a marshmallow roast campfire.˙˙Presentations are free and open to the public, just bring a chair.˙˙For more information, please call 406-285-3610.

Directions: From I-90, take the Three Forks exit, then travel 2 miles east on Secondary Road 205, then 2 miles north on Secondary Road 286.

Missouri Headwaters State Park
Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, Bozeman, MT 59718

    Activities
  • Camping
  • Picnicking
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Hiking
  • Historic
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Photography
  • Lewis and Clark
  • Bird Watching
  • Education
  • Heritage
  • River Fishing
    Services
  • Campsite
  • Boat Launch
  • Handicapped Accessible
  • Pets Allowed
  • Trail
  • Toilets
  • Water
  • Interpretive Display
  • Parking





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