Missouri Headwaters State Park, MT is where the three major tributaries of the Missouri river; the Gallatin, the Jefferson and the Madison come together and form the Missouri river proper. The Missouri Headwaters area is a geographical focal point and was important to early Native Americans trappers, traders and settlers. Coveting the regions bountiful resources, the Flathead, Bannock and Shoshoni Indians competed for control of this area, as did the trappers and settlers who followed.
Lewis and Clark passed by the Missouri headwaters on both ways of their voyage of discovery in 1805 and then again in 1806. In his journal documenting the expedition Meriwether Lewis wrote the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows that appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains.
From the wet river bottom to the dry bluffs above each slightly different ecosystem was bursting with life the day we visited.
A fine way to spend a summers morning.
nature has no boss 
I fished there once. I was in Bozeman for a summer class.
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Must have been good fishing with three rivers to choose from.
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Is that third photo a leech? I’ve never seen one before.
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I wondered, too!
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es a leech and a nice sized on to boot.
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Hi Karen, yes a leech.
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What a magical place! This pelicans and the–is it a salamander? Astonishing beauty in large and small things.
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HI, not a salamander but a nice juicy leech.
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Oh, my gosh! That was a big one!
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It was a big leech… yikes.
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Amazing and fascinating beauty this area has.
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Hi Paula, yes plenty of life packed into a small area.
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Looks like there is an abundance of wildlife attracted by the water, a nice contrast against the mountains. Beautiful area and photos, Mike.
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Hi Eliza, yes the water six a nice draw for the wildlife but plenty of little things seem to enjoy the dry microclimate just a short hike up from the rivers.
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Great post featuring a wild and beautiful area – thanks, Mike!
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Thanks Adam.
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Lovely series that helps take me there.
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Hi Sherry and thanks.
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Enjoyed your informative post Mike. What rugged beauty and an interesting ecosystem. It looks vibrant with birds and insects. Great photos.
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HI and thanks. The headwaters was a nice place to visit for the varied ecosystems in a small area and was indeed full of life that day. Thanks for the feedback and wishing you a wonderful weekend.
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Adding to the bucket list!
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It is an interesting park wish a variety landscapes. I would suspect late spring is the best time to visit.
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Duly noted!
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🙂
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