Missoula to Great Falls
Up the Blackfoot River

Located a few miles east of Missoula, Milltown State Park is Montana’s newest state park. It spans over 600 acres of beautiful land, documenting the newly restored confluence of two of Western Montana’s most important rivers, the Clark Fork River and the Blackfoot River. The Milltown Dam was once a key part of the Montana power grid, where in the late nineteenth century, it would generate power for the nearby communities. The dam created slackwater to collect the logs floated down the two rivers to the mill. Today the park offers an ideal place for a quick summertime stop. Boasting many warm-weather activities, Bonner has long been known as a hub for people to begin or end their river floating journeys. Additionally, the park offers beautiful, panoramic wildlife views, riverfront walking trails, and a rich history.

The Blackfoot River, sometimes called the Big Blackfoot River to distinguish it from the Little Blackfoot River, is renowned for its recreational opportunities, most notably fly fishing, but also rafting, canoeing, and inner tubing. The Blackfoot is a fast, cold river with many deep spots, making it prime habitat for several varieties of trout and is featured in the 1976 novella A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, as well as the 1992 film starring Brad Pitt, directed by Robert Redford.

There are many outfitters offering trips on the Blackfoot and Clark Fork:

• River City Brews Rafting Tours: https://www.rivercitybrews.com/
• Missoulian Angler Fly Shop: https://www.missoulianangler.com/
• Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures: https://trailadventures.com/
• Missoula Whitewater Rafting: https://montanariverguides.com/
• Adventure Missoula: https://www.adventuremissoula.com/
• Blackfoot River Outfitters: https://www.blackfootriver.com/
• Clark Fork Yacht Club: https://www.clarkforkyachtclub.com/
• 10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak Adventures: https://10000-waves.com/
• Missoula River Tours: https://missoularivertours.com/

Off today’s main highway sits the historic town of Ovando, Montana. The burg is small, but the heart, soul, and character here are large. You will find the Blackfoot Commercial Company & Ovando Inn, Stray Bullet Café, and Trixi’s Antler Saloon. Five miles west from town is Monture Campground on the stream Lewis named Seaman’s Creek but known today as Monture Creek. The town is surrounded by recreational areas.

“Blackfoot Pathways hosts some of the most innovative land and environmental art in Montana.” It’s located in the forest across from the Lincoln Ranger Station and must be seen to be appreciated. Meriwether Lewis and his detachment passed through the site where the town now stands. His descriptions of two creeks closely resemble present Keep Cool and Spring creeks just west of town.

Blackfoot Pathways is but one unique attraction you will find in Lincoln, Montana. The town has several quality eateries and country-style lodging. This is your last chance for fuel, food, and accommodations in either direction!

The Alice Creek Trail, located in the high terrain of the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, leads to Lewis and Clark Pass and the Scapegoat Wilderness. This family-friendly trail has a gradual incline, and the hike to the pass is 1.7 miles. At the summit, it connects with the Continental Divide Trail.

When traveling by foot or horse, present Lewis and Clark Pass was the easiest crossing of the Rocky Mountains available between Missoula and the eastern plains. (The modern highway crosses Rogers Pass a few miles to the south.) Along Alice Creek, the travois marks of earlier travelers can still be seen.

Many of the same plants that Lewis found along this route are easily spotted growing along the trail. Wildlife abounds too. It’s easy to imagine Lewis and his group crossing here and sense that Blackfoot marauders a nearby.

Finish your epic adventure just as Lewis did by traveling along the Sun River to the Great Falls of the Missouri. Along the way you will see the “Battle Hills” mapped by Peter Fidler prior to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Today’s Crown Butte stands out, and it is easy to imagine a vast herd of bison grazing on the plains surrounding it.

He crossed the Missouri in newly constructed bull boats, but you can cross on one of the bridges in Great Falls—one of the iconic Lewis and Clark destinations on the historic trail.

For more of the story, see on our educational website Down the Sun River: Through the Battle Hills.