Jefferson and Beaverhead Rivers
The Mountain Gates Part 2
This adventure starts where Sacagawea was captured as a child and ends where she was reunited with her Lemhi Shoshone People. It starts at the Missouri River headwaters, then up the Jefferson River and through its canyon, and up the broad Beaverhead River Valley to a place the journalists called both “Camp Fortunate” and “Fortunate Camp”. Landmark stops include Beaverhead Rock and Clark’s Lookout.
Learn more at our educational website: Jefferson Canyon | Beaverhead Rock | Clark’s Lookout | Rattlesnake Cliffs
You may also like our L&C Travel Magazine!
The Missouri Headwaters State Park holds the point in which the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers come together to form the Three Forks of the Missouri River. It was a distinguishable point for the Corps of Discovery when they encountered the Headwaters on July 28, 1805. The legendary Sacajawea was captured here as a child.
Today, the Missouri Headwaters State Park offers many different hiking trails, a bike trail that leads to the nearby town of Three Forks, a campground for overnight trips, and ample opportunities for birding, floating, fishing, and learning.
Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Sacajawea Hotel, North Main Street, Three Forks, MT, USA
Headwaters Heritage Museum, South Main Street, Three Forks, MT, USA
15 Koa Road, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
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Headwaters Heritage Museum, South Main Street, Three Forks, MT, USA
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Named after our famous captains, the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park provides visitors with the opportunity to admire limestone caverns. Visitors can also enjoy the hiking and biking trails surrounding the cavern and participate in activities such as canoeing and fishing. The park offers over forty campsites near the caverns.
There are different tours of the caverns based on difficulty level. In the winter, get into the holiday spirit with a candlelight cave tour! If you wish to explore the caverns, you must pre-book a guided tour.
The Cave Visitor Center, three miles at the end of the park road, focuses on the caverns with a 29-minute video, small museum, cave exploration room, and ticket booth. Across the street from this lies Montana Gift Corral, a gift shop and deli to serve the needs of all.
Lewis & Clark Caverns Main Visitor Center, Montana 2, Whitehall, MT, USA
1455 MT-2, Whitehall, MT 59759, USA
Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian woman traveling with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, recognized this rock formation and knew that she may be in the vicinity of her relatives. The sighting gave the expedition hope that they may be able to find native peoples from which to acquire horses for their trip across the mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
Resembling the head of a swimming beaver, this natural landmark is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The site may be viewed and photographed from a distance but is not directly accessible.
1420 MT-41, Twin Bridges, MT 59754, USA
Beaverhead Rock State Park, Beaverhead Rock Road, Twin Bridges, MT, USA
Beaverhead Rock State Park, Beaverhead Rock Road, Twin Bridges, MT, USA
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Clark’s Lookout gives a great view of the Beaverhead River valley near Dillon, Montana. On August 13, 1805, Captain William Clark climbed the small hill to get a sense of his surroundings and document the location. Today, you can stand in the same spot!
Clark’s Lookout State Park, Clarks Lookout Road, Dillon, MT, USA
Clark’s Lookout State Park, Clarks Lookout Road, Dillon, MT, USA
Clark’s Lookout State Park, Clarks Lookout Road, Dillon, MT, USA
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Beaverhead County Museum has impressive displays of local history and a collection of Native artifacts and fossils that rival larger museums. The Old Depot building houses the Lewis & Clark Diorama, Audubon Bird Display, and Old Depot Theatre.
May: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm
June-August: Mon–Fri: 10am-5pm and Sat: 10am–4pm
Sep–Oct: Mon–Fri: 10am–4pm
Beaverhead County Museum, South Montana Street, Dillon, MT, USA
Beaverhead County Museum, South Montana Street, Dillon, MT, USA
255 Cliff Rd, Dillon, MT 59725, USA
Beaverhead County Museum, South Montana Street, Dillon, MT, USA
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At the Camp Fortunate Overlook, you are invited to imagine a scene more remarkable than fiction. Lewis and several Lemhi Shoshones have set up camp. Clark arrives with the boats to the relief of everybody. To the surprise of everyone there, Sacagawea is re-united with her family. Horse trading commences.
Camp Fortunate was between the present shore and the island—now inundated by the beautiful Clark Reservoir.
Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
