AT THE VERY HEART OF
Lewis & Clark ExPEDITION
Captain Meriwether Lewis began his famous exploration of the Louisiana Purchase on July 5th, 1803. In May of 1804, after months of preparation, Lewis and his co-Captain William Clark left St. Louis with a party of men, the Corps of Discovery, and a flotilla of well-supplied boats and began their passage up the Missouri River.
The Corps of Discovery made their way through what would eventually become the state of Montana in 1805. Moving up the Missouri River they encountered amazing natural wonders, endured grueling hardships, were met and aided by many Native American tribes and crossed the Rocky Mountains in their pursuit of a Northern Route to the Pacific Ocean.
Follow the Lewis and Clark Expedition
through Southwest Montana
Travel through Southwest Montana where the Corps of Discovery originally discovered what we now call Big Sky country.
SOUTHWEST MONTANA STATE PARKS
Lewis & Clark ExPEDITION
Beaverhead Rock State Park Get Directions to Park Beaverhead Rock can be viewed and photographed from a distance, but cannot be directly accessed. There are two great locations to best see the rock formation, though. The first is 14 miles south of Twin Bridges on Highway 41 where a pull-off has informational signs and an interesting bird scul…
Clark's Lookout State Park Get Directions to Park Clark's Lookout State Park is located one mile north of Dillon, above the Beaverhead River. Established December 23, 1985, Clark's Lookout is set along the historic Lewis and Clark trail. Click Here T…
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Get Directions to Park Located just east of Whitehall, MT, lies the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Discovered in 1892 by local hunters, these caverns went on to become Montana's first state park. As one of the largest known limestone cavern systems in the northwest, Montanans have been exploring the caves for over…
General Park Fee Information
Montana residents in a vehicle with valid Montana license plates are allowed to enter State Parks for free. Camping, tour, special event and other fees still apply.
Nonresident visitors are required to pay day-use fees usually from $2 to $5. Nonresidents can also purchase annual Montana State Parks Passports for unlimited use. Passports are $25 for the first vehicle and $20 for additional vehicles. They can be purchased at any state park, regional Fish, Wildlife and Parks office or online at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks