Clark’s Lookout State Park

Perched on a rocky bluff above the Beaverhead River in southwestern Montana, Clark’s Lookout State Park marks the spot where Captain William Clark climbed to survey the landscape on August 13, 1805, during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. At just 7 acres, it’s one of Montana’s smallest state parks — but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in historical significance and quiet riverside charm.

The park sits in Beaverhead County near the town of Dillon, surrounded by the broad, sage-covered valley that Clark himself described in his journals. A short trail leads to the top of the limestone outcrop where Clark stood, offering sweeping views of the Beaverhead River Valley and the Pioneer Mountains beyond. Interpretive signs along the way recount the expedition’s passage through the area and the challenges they faced navigating this stretch of river.

Visitors come here for the fishing access — the Beaverhead River is a renowned blue-ribbon trout stream, and the park provides a convenient launch point for wading or floating. Picnic areas along the riverbank make it a natural stop for a midday break while exploring the region. Bird watching is rewarding here too, with ospreys, eagles, and great blue herons frequenting the river corridor.

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the weather is mild and the river is fishable. Stop here on your way through Dillon — it’s a small park with a big story to tell.

Explore Nearby

• Nez Perce–Clearwater National Forests — National Forest in Idaho
• Grandmother Mountain Wilderness Study Area — Public Land in Idaho
• Bitterroot National Forest — National Forest in Montana, Idaho
• s Widow Mountain Wilderness Study Area — Public Land in Idaho