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State Park on the Madison River

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Missouri Headwaters State Park - Interpretive programs and tours are offered regularly at Missouri Headwaters.

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

Missouri Headwaters State Park Brochure

This park encompasses the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. The Lewis and Clark Expedition anticipated this important headwaters all the way up the Missouri River in 1804 and 1805. An easy three-mile drive off Interstate 90 at Three Forks, this park provides outdoor interpretive signs, picnic spots, short hiking trails, a small campground, and a rental tipi.

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

Indian Education For All Lesson Plan

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
Directions

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

Contact Information
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
Restrictions & Closures
Pet Restriction
Leash required.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 7 days allowed.
Vehicle Length
Combined Length of unit is 35ft.
Activities
Activities
  • Easy Accessibility
    Boating - The next takout is at Fairweather FAS approximately 8 miles downstream.
  • Difficult Accessibility
    Fishing
  • Easy Accessibility
    Camping
  • Easy Accessibility
    Picnicking
  • Easy Accessibility
    Bicycling
  • Easy Accessibility
    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
Boat Services
  • Ramp (Concrete) - Day use only area.
Campground
Campground
  • Camp Host
  • Campground
  • Group Site
  • RV/Trailer Site
  • Tent/RV Site
  • Tipi - More information about tipi rentals.
Miscellaneous
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
Picnic Site
  • Fire Ring
  • Grill (Ring)
  • Picnic Table
Sanitation/Water
Sanitation/Water
  • Drinking Water
  • Pack in/Pack out
  • Toilet (Flush)
  • Toilet (Vault)
  • Water (Pressurized)
Trail
Trail
  • Hiking Trail - Approximately 4 miles of walking trails that lead visitors through open meadows, along rivers and onto vista points.
  • Interpretive Trail
Fees
Fees
Day Use
$5.00
Non-Resident, Vehicle
State Park Camping
$15.00
May 1–Sep 30
Wildlife Viewing
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.

Abundance Codes
Common Abundance = Common   Uncommon Abundance = Uncommon   Rare Abundance = Rare   Incidental Occurrence = Incidental  Historic Occurrence = Historic Occurrence  Species is present, abundance unknown = Unknown Abundance 
 


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