Beaverhead Rock

Beaverhead Rock State Park protects a prominent limestone formation along the Beaverhead River in Beaverhead County that served as a landmark for Sacagawea during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The rock rises dramatically above the river valley floor.

The Beaverhead River corridor supports brown trout and rainbow trout fishing. Mule deer, pronghorn, and various raptors inhabit the surrounding sagebrush terrain. Waterfowl and shorebirds utilize the river.

Sagebrush steppe dominates the dry uplands surrounding the rock formation. Cottonwoods and willows line the Beaverhead River. Native bunchgrasses persist on undisturbed slopes, and wildflowers bloom in spring.

Beaverhead Rock is a massive limestone formation that rises about 200 feet above the Beaverhead River valley. The rock is composed of Paleozoic-era limestone uplifted and exposed through tectonic activity and erosion over millions of years.

The Beaverhead Valley experiences cold, dry winters and warm summers. Annual precipitation averages about 10 inches. The open valley is subject to strong winds and significant temperature variations.

Sacagawea recognized Beaverhead Rock in August 1805 during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, confirming the party was nearing her Shoshone homeland. The landmark has guided travelers through the valley for centuries.

Beaverhead Rock State Park was established to preserve this nationally significant Lewis and Clark landmark. The park provides interpretive information about the expedition's passage through the area.

The rock formation and its Lewis and Clark association are the primary attractions. Interpretive signs explain the expedition's journey. The Beaverhead River offers fishing access. Photography of the dramatic formation is popular.

The park provides a day-use area with interpretive displays and river access. It is located along Highway 41, about 15 miles south of Twin Bridges in Beaverhead County.

The park protects both the geological formation and its historical significance. Preservation of the Lewis and Clark cultural landscape maintains this nationally important site.