Montana summers are fleeting… but that just gives us a reason to enjoy every single beautiful day. But while tourists head to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, locals tend to sneak off to our lesser-known gems, like Missouri Headwaters State Park. This place is beautiful in any season, but it shines its brightest in the summertime.

Missouri Headwaters State Park is located in Three Forks.

sweetmarie / TripAdvisor The park and historic site spans 532 acres, with an elevation of about 4,000 feet.

The Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers all merge here, forming the 2,300 mile Missouri River and giving the park its name.

Elmar Rummert / TripAdvisor Believe it or not, the water flowing through this area will eventually reach the Gulf of Mexico.

People have been coming to this area for thousands of years – it was a geographical focal point for early Native Americans trappers, traders, and settlers.

Doc_Cody / TripAdvisor The region has always had bountiful resources, so it has been coveted by the Flathead, Bannock, and Shoshoni tribes, as well as European settlers.

The Lewis and Clark expedition came through the area in 1805, stopping to camp and study the rivers.

Patrick Rabideau / Google In his notes, Meriwether Lewis said that the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows which appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains. He certainly wasn’t wrong.

In fact, the park is full of reminders of Montana’s early history.

Kimberly T / TripAdvisor You’ll find remnants of our pioneer days, including a pioneer cemetery.

During the summer, Missouri Headwaters State Park is a hot spot for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, learning about history, and wildlife viewing…

Danita F / TripAdvisor

…and if you’re enjoying yourself too much to leave, camping is also an option.

Sara Neave / Google The park has 17 campsites and a tipi rental.

Missouri Headwaters State Park is truly one of the Treasure State’s most underrated gems.

Lolita Morgan / Google Check it out this summer and see for yourself.

Have you ever been to Missouri Headwaters State Park? If not, make this the summer you go.

sweetmarie / TripAdvisor

The park and historic site spans 532 acres, with an elevation of about 4,000 feet.

Elmar Rummert / TripAdvisor

Believe it or not, the water flowing through this area will eventually reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Doc_Cody / TripAdvisor

The region has always had bountiful resources, so it has been coveted by the Flathead, Bannock, and Shoshoni tribes, as well as European settlers.

Patrick Rabideau / Google

In his notes, Meriwether Lewis said that the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows which appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains. He certainly wasn’t wrong.

Kimberly T / TripAdvisor

You’ll find remnants of our pioneer days, including a pioneer cemetery.

Danita F / TripAdvisor

Sara Neave / Google

The park has 17 campsites and a tipi rental.

Lolita Morgan / Google

Check it out this summer and see for yourself.

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Address: Missouri Headwaters State Park, 1585 Trident Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA