“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.
Reviews of Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground
15 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G
Confirmed by 7 users | Last reported on May 17, 2023AT&T 4G/5G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on August 01, 2023T-Mobile 4G
Confirmed by 3 users | Last reported on October 05, 2022Cannot camp here.
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.
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 5
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Not dispersed camping. Sites close together but lots of animals.
Nightly Rate: $28.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 9
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.
Nightly Rate: $9.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 11
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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.
Nightly Rate: $18.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 3
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
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.
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 10
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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!
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 3
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
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.
Nightly Rate: $28.00
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: 004
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
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.
Nightly Rate: $38.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 15
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.
Nightly Rate: $28.00
Days Stayed: -
Site Number: -
Be the first to add a review to the Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground.
Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground
Hours
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
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
-
Fifty Amp
-
Full Hookup
-
Pull Through
-
Tent Sites
-
Dump Station
-
Big Rigs
-
Open Seasonally
-
Age Restricted
-
Boondock
-
Cabin Sites
-
Dispersed Sites
-
Firewood
-
Fulltime Residents
-
Group Tent Sites
-
Laundry
-
Mobile Homes
-
Permit Required
-
Potable Water
-
Propane
-
Public Water
-
Pull Through RV Sites
-
Reservations
-
Sewer Hookup
-
Showers
-
Standard Tent Sites
-
Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
The ultimate guide to Yellowstone National Park
- 19 Places
- 02:35
- 80 mi
The Great Northern is a 3,600 mile, cross-country odyssey
- 57 Places
- 69:15
- 3,565 mi