Missouri Headwaters State Park

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Missouri Headwaters

State Park on the Madison River

Easy Accessibility

Region 3 | Yellowstone Country

Missouri Headwaters State Park - Relief map of the Missouri Headwaters.

Missouri Headwaters State Park - Re-enactment of a Mountain Man Shootout.

Missouri Headwaters State Park - Mountain Man, Kurt Cunningham, setting a fur trap at Missouri Headwaters Mountain Man Festival

Missouri Headwaters State Park - Evening Campfire music at the Missouri Headwaters State Park Mountain Man Festival.

Missouri Headwaters Interpretive Sign - An interpretive sign at Missouri Headwaters explains the visit of Lewis and Clark in 1805.

Missouri Headwaters State Park - View of the Missouri Headwaters.

Missouri Headwaters State Park - Gallatin River at the Missouri headwaters.

Madison River - Outide Ennis, Montana, rock riprap stabilizes the near bank, opposite bank lined with red-twigged dogwood, willows, and tall cottonwoods


Open:	Jan 1—Dec 31
Size:	532 acres
Elevation:	4045 ft
Nearest Town:	Three Forks

Park Map

Location Map

Parcel Map

2008 Calendar of Events

This park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. Lewis and Clark anticipated this important headwaters all the way up the Missouri River. An easy three-mile drive off Interstate 90 at Three Forks, this undeveloped park provides outdoor interpretive signs, picnic spots, short hiking trails, a small campground, and—just as the Corps of Discovery found—plenty of mosquitoes!

For more information about Missouri Headwaters State Park, read Confluence of Cultures, 2004 Montana Outdoors article.

Missouri Headwaters State Park is located on the Madison River 0 miles from the mouth on the right hand side as you face down stream. Blackbird is the next access site up stream from Missouri Headwaters.

Directions

4 miles northeast of Three Forks, off of Hwy 205, then onto Hwy 286. (Lat 45.924, Lng -111.498)

Contact Information

If you have questions or comments please send mail to: Missouri Headwaters, 1400 S. 19th St. Bozeman, MT 59715 or call (406) 994-4042.

Restrictions & Closures

Pet Restriction: Leash required.

Tipi Closure: Due to the construction and work area hazards for the new park office in and around the entrance of the Missouri Headwaters State Park campground the Rental Tipi has been dismantled for the season.

Stay Limit: Maximum stay of 7 days allowed.

Vehicle Length: Combined Length of unit is 35ft.

Activities

Boating - The next takout is at Fairweather FAS approximately 8 miles downstream.
Fishing
Camping
Picnicking
Bicycling
Group Use
Hiking
Interpretive Programs - Saturday Speaker Series: A series of programs that are presented each Saturday evening, June through August, on topics ranging from Native American culture, Lewis & Clark, and Montana history. Programs are held at the picnic area of the park starting at 7 pm.
Photography

Boat Services

Ramp (Concrete) - Day use only area.

Campground

Camp Host
Campground
Group Site
RV/Trailer Site
Tent/RV Site
Tipi - More information about tipi rentals.

Miscellaneous

Information Kiosk/Map
Information Kiosk/Map - Interpretive Rangers can assist with questions and guide visitors to points of interest within the park.

Picnic Site

Fire Ring
Grill (Ring)
Picnic Table

Sanitation/Water

Drinking Water
Pack in/Pack out
Toilet (Flush)
Toilet (Vault)
Water (Pressurized)

Trail

Hiking Trail - Approximately 4 miles of walking trails that lead visitors through open meadows, along rivers and onto vista points.
Interpretive Trail

Wildlife Viewing

These locations represent physical occurences (visually confirmed) within the boundaries of the site. Many more species may be present in the area which are not listed because we do not have a visually confirmed record. If you would like to report a species sighting, a form is available.