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4.4
111 votes

Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground

1585 Trident Rd., Three Forks, Montana 59752 USA

  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“Camp where Lewis and Clark camped!”

Within the boundaries of this scenic park the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the 2,300 mile Missouri River. The Missouri Headwaters area was a geographical focal point important to early Native Americans trappers, traders and settlers. Coveting the regions bountiful resources, the Flathead, Bannock and Shoshoni Indians competed for control of the area as did the trappers and settlers who followed. Considering it an essential point in the geography of this western part of the continent, Meriwether Lewis wrote the country opens suddenly to extensive and beautiful plains and meadows which appear to be surrounded in every direction with distant and lofty mountains. The legendary Sacajawea was captured here as a child and eventually returned as a member of the Corps of Discovery. Another member of this expedition, John Colter, later made several trips to this area in search of furs and began his famous run nearby. Pioneers slowly settled the surrounding area and transformed it into profitable grazing and farming land. Missouri Headwaters State Park preserves much of the region's abundant wildlife, lush, vegetation, and scenic beauty that have attracted people for thousands of years. The park provides 17 campsites, tipi rental, foot trails to points of interest, and interpretive displays of the area's cultural and natural history. River floating, fishing, picnicking, bicycling, hiking, interpretive programs, and photography are popular activities. The park is 532 acres in size and is 4,045 feet in elevation. Missouri Headwaters State Park sponsors the Summer Speaker Series, Saturday evenings at 7 pm in the park's picnic area. Following each presentation is a marshmallow roast campfire. Presentations are free and open to the public, just bring a chair.

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Reviews of Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground

15 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.8 Access
4.5 Location
4.5 Cleanliness
3.7 Site Quality
4.8 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 7 users | Last reported on May 17, 2023

AT&T 4G/5G

Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on August 01, 2023

T-Mobile 4G

Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on October 05, 2022
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Reviewed by
alex.emrick23

  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
July 14, 2021
Rated

Cannot camp here.

2 people found this review helpful
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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 25, 2020
Rated

This place is basic but there’s water if you need to refill. No power. Good cell signal and level spots. No real bells or whistles but there is a good amount of hiking from the campground. Oh, and the mosquitoes are insane this time of year because of all the stagnant water around here.

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Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 5

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

August 20, 2020
Rated

Not dispersed camping. Sites close together but lots of animals.

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Nightly Rate: $28.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 9

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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 17, 2020
Rated

Off the beaten path and a very nice park for boon-docking. There is fresh water available to fill your portable jugs, and vault toilets are also on site. This is not a park for big rigs; simply no room for them, however lots of tent sites, and back in sites for smaller RVs. My 24 foot trailer was able to back into a campsite okay and I did not have to unhook my tow vehicle. VERY friendly rangers checking campers in, and while reservations are recommended, I was able to get a spot without calling ahead. Hiking trails down to the Madison River, and not far to a beautiful picnic area right on the river. Definitely recommend this park and will return for sure. The price I posted is for being a Montana resident and over the age of 62.

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Nightly Rate: $9.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 11

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

Reviewed by
jclemmer75

  • 260 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
August 19, 2021
Rated

Due to an unexpected detour to Bozeman, we ended up here as a walk-up in mid-July. We arrived fairly early in the day and luckily someone pulled out shortly after we arrived. We had a MT State Park sticker so only had to pay the nightly rate (no daily fee and a discount on the nightly rate). The campground is a long single road in & out with a loop at the end for turning around. Depending on the time of day some sites offered shade. They were spread out enough that the few generators that were running weren't really bothersome. There were good-sized 5th wheels here during our stay so pretty much anything could fit. There was water, very nice volunteers and hosts, trails, artifacts, and all the history that goes along with Lewis & Clark. The Headwaters Trail System is fantastic - paved from the campground all the way into Three Forks - really lovely. The off-road trails in the park are fun but some of the climbs are challenging and better walked. Both AT&T and T-Mobile were good: download speeds 50 Mbps and higher and upload 2-8 Mbps.

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Nightly Rate: $18.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 3

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

T-Mobile 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 16, 2021
Rated

We had a great night here. Paths to the river. Historical sites of interest and placards with history of the area throughout. Campsites are spacious. We pull a 31’ trailer and fit just fine. Will definitely come back.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: -

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 10

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

May 01, 2022
Rated

We are not residents and just passing through so we paid full price for no hookups. BUT the amount of trails and history to see and read about was worth it! Site 3 says its 25 feet long on their website but we are towing a 36 foot trailer and fit perfect! (It was the last site available when we pulled in around 4 on a Saturday night without a reservation that we could fit in) The night was super quite and dark, just how we like it!

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Nightly Rate: $32.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 3

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 11, 2022
Rated

Overall: TLDR
We didn't have reservations and were able to snag a hail marry of a site. Next time we'll book ahead. Stayed three nights. Would be happy to stay again. Wished for a dump site. A plus, generators were ok, and hours were very accommodating. Good trails and close enough to grocery and Bozeman.

Access:
A variety of sites. We are 43ft when hooked up and drove alongside the rocks in site 4. People were able to get around us easily. Loop at the end might be tight for big rigs.

Location:
Lots of trails around and pretty close to Bozeman (30 mins), if you want to go do something in town. About 20 mins to a grocery store, keeps things within reach without the noise from town.

Cleanliness:
We only used out bathroom on board so are unfamiliar with bathroom cleanliness. The sites were well cared for and very clean.

Site Quality:
Pretty level. No privacy, the sites down in the loop are tucked away if you fit and can get one booked. Coming from Washington State many of our parks have some sites with partial or even full hook ups. The price wasn't bad but if we boondock we prefer free or really low prices with more privacy.

Noise:
Minimal road noise when walking around site outside but nothing noticeable inside the TT. We did hear some wildlife, but we enjoy that.

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Nightly Rate: $28.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: 004

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

T-Mobile 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

July 14, 2022
Rated

Based on other's reviews, I expected the campground to be a lot more substantial and finished, but what I experienced was "phoned in" gravel pads overgrown with brush. Pit toilet was clean. Maybe the ratings by others was due to the historical nature of the location and the trails, but the campground and sites weren't very nice at all. As a bonus, the mosquitoes were rampant.

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Nightly Rate: $38.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 15

4 Access
3 Location
1 Cleanliness
1 Site Quality
5 Noise
  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
July 17, 2022
Rated

The camp host was super kind, but the mosquitos were a thick fog. It was terrible. Just opening the camper door and immediately closing it, we’d get 3 or 4 mosquitos inside. Also, and this is my fault for not thoroughly ready the campsite description, our site had no water or electricity hookups. When I booked an “RV” site and checked out the map, I assumed it would at least have electricity. Nope. With 100 degree temps, it’s a no-go for sure.

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Nightly Rate: $28.00

Days Stayed: -

Site Number: -

4 Access
4 Location
4 Cleanliness
1 Site Quality
4 Noise

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Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground

1585 Trident Rd.
Three Forks, Montana
59752 USA
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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Last Nightly Rate
28.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
36.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
9.0
Max Length
25 ft
Max Stay
14
  • Unavailable
    Fifty Amp
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Check
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Big Rigs
  • Unavailable
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Check
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Check
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Check
    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Showers
  • Check
    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Water Hookup
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