On July 24, 1805, shortly after passing the âBluffs of red earth,â the Corps of Discovery came to a portion of the Missouri River characterized by numerous islands and extensive beaver activity.
Lewis wrote: âwe saw many beaver and some otter today; the former dam up the small channels of the river between the islands and compell the river in these parts to make other channels; which as soon as it has effected that which was stoped by the beaver becomes dry and is filled up with mud sand gravel and drift wood. the beaver is then compelled to seek another spot for his habitation wher he again erects his dam. thus the river in many places among the clusters of islands is constantly changing the direction of such sluices as the beaver are capable of stoping or of 20 yds. in width. this anamal in that way I beleive to be very instrumental in adding to the number of islands with which we find the river crouded.â
This area went unnamed in Lewisâs journal narrative, but Clarkâs corresponding map named it âYorks 8 Islands,â after his slave York who was a fully participating member of the expedition.
âYorks 8 Islandsâ was one of only two features named after York. The other was a tributary of the Yellowstone which Clark called âYorks Dry Creek.â However, it was later renamed âCuster Creek.â The cluster of islands were officially designated as âYorks Islandsâ by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 2000, following a push for recognition by the Crimson Bluffs Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, located in Townsend, MT. While the islands are predominately privately owned, there is public access available at the Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site, located along the Missouri 3.6 miles south of Townsend, Montana.
The turn off for the site is 3.6 miles south of Townsend, MT on Hwy 287, at mile marker 82. Follow the dirt road for about 1/4 mile.
Distance Unit:
Crimson Bluffs Trail Head, BLM, Townsend, MT, USA
Distance: 4.37 Away
LC Features Outdoor Experiences
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Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 23.64 Away
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes
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Missouri Headwaters State Park, Trident Road, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 23.64 Away
Outdoor Experiences LC Features Walks and Hikes Viewpoints
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15 Koa Road, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
Distance: 25.42 Away
RV and Camping Outdoor Experiences
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Headwaters Heritage Museum, South Main Street, Three Forks, MT, USA
Distance: 25.70 Away
Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours LC Features
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7700 Canyon Ferry Road, Helena, MT, USA
Distance: 29.17 Away
General History Outdoor Experiences
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225 N Roberts St, Helena, MT 59620
Distance: 33.54 Away
Galleries and Venues Museums and Interpretive Centers
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Last Chance Tours, North Roberts Street, Helena, MT, USA
Distance: 33.55 Away
Two Camps Vista, Helena, MT, USA
Distance: 33.78 Away
Walks and Hikes RV and Camping Viewpoints LC Features
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