Missouri Headwaters

Missouri Headwaters State Park encompasses 527 acres at the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers near Three Forks in Gallatin County. This is the birthplace of the Missouri River, one of the most significant geographical points in American history.

The river confluence attracts diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and great blue herons. The rivers support brown trout and rainbow trout. Waterfowl congregate during migration. Raptors hunt the surrounding grasslands.

Cottonwood gallery forest lines the riverbanks. Native prairie grasses and sagebrush cover the uplands. Willows and other riparian shrubs stabilize the riverbanks. The fertile river bottom supports rich vegetation.

The three rivers converge to form the Missouri River, which flows 2,341 miles to its confluence with the Mississippi. The headwaters sit in a broad valley surrounded by mountain ranges. The area's geology includes limestone cliffs and river-deposited alluvium.

The Three Forks area experiences cold winters and warm, dry summers. Annual precipitation averages about 12 inches. The valley is prone to temperature inversions in winter and can be very windy.

Lewis and Clark reached the headwaters on July 27, 1805, naming the three rivers for President Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State James Madison, and Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin. Sacagawea recognized the area from her childhood.

Missouri Headwaters State Park was established to preserve this nationally significant geographical and historical site. The park interprets both the Lewis and Clark Expedition and thousands of years of prior human use.

Interpretive trails lead to the river confluence and overlooks. Historical markers detail the Lewis and Clark journey. Fort Rock provides panoramic views of all three rivers. Fishing and floating are popular river activities.

The park offers camping, interpretive trails, and picnic facilities. It is located about 3 miles northeast of Three Forks off Highway 286.

The park protects the headwaters landscape and its historical integrity. Riverbank management maintains natural processes. The site documents both natural and cultural history at a nationally significant location.