Missouri Headwaters State Park
The Missouri Headwaters State Park is located 5 km east of Three Forks in Gallatin County of the U.S. state of Montana. The 215 -acre State Park unite the two rivers Madison River and Jefferson River and thus form the origin of Missouri. A kilometer down the river still flows within the park of the Gallatin River as the first important tributary of the Missouri. On July 28, 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached the place with her team as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The oldest traces of human life in the area can be dated back 11,000 years. Before the arrival of Lewis and Clark, the Indian tribes of the Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Salish and Shoshone were among the recurring users. The old names of the rivers have been replaced by Lewis and Clark through the still valid name of prominent politicians of that time. Originally named after the growing berries along its course the river was renamed after the Treasury Albert Gallatin Gallatin River. The long stretches straight flowing river got the name Madison River to the Foreign Minister and later U.S. President James Madison. With the appointment of the Jefferson River of President Thomas Jefferson should be honored. 1940 donated by local citizens the state of the first 8.5 ha of land around the historic square to preserve. In 1957 the area was declared a Missouri Headwaters State Park. In the 1960s, the park was expanded to over 200 ha and different paths and recreation facilities created. On October 9, 1960, the Three Forks of the Missouri National Historic Landmark was also established.
In the State Park there are various recreational facilities. These include fishing, boating, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, camping and tours of the area.