Montana State Parks :: Beaverhead Rock

Beaverhead Rock

STATE PARK

Visit this natural, historic rock formation that Sacagawea, a guide traveling with the Lewis & Clark Expedition, recognized as resembling the head of a swimming beaver.

SEASON AND HOURS
Park
Open all year

LOCATION
62 Beaverhead Rock Road
Twin Bridges, MT 59754
Latitude/Longitude: (45.38333 / -112.46090)

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MT State Parks Guide

MEET THE PARK MANAGER
Photo of Dale Carlson, Beaverhead State Park Manager

Dale Carlson was born and raised in Edmore North Dakota. He currently manages Bannack, Clark’s Lookout and Beaverhead Rock State Parks, and celebrated his 20-year anniversary with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in April, 2012. Dale has degrees in park and wildlife management, and science education, and has managed numerous parks throughout the state during his two decades with FWP.

CONTACT

CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
Beaverhead Rock State Park
c/o Bannack State Park
4200 Bannack Rd
Dillon, MT 59725

Phone: 406-834-3413
Email: dalec@smtel.com

Beaverhead Rock

STATE PARK

Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian guide traveling with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, recognized this rock formation and knew that she may be in the vicinity of her relatives. The sighting gave the expedition hope that they may be able to find Native peoples from which to acquire horses for their trip across the mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

Meriwether Lewis, August 8, 1805 wrote:
"The Indian woman recognized the point of a high plain to our right which she informed us was not very distant from the summer retreat of her nation on a river beyond the mountains which runs to the west. This hill she says her nation calls the beaver's head from a conceived resemblance of its figure to the head of that animal. She assures us that we shall either find her people on this river or on the river immediately west of its source; which from its present size cannot be very distant."

Resembling the head of a swimming beaver, this natural landmark is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The site may be viewed and photographed from a distance, but is not directly accessible.

Activities Available

History
Lewis And Clark
Photography
Wildlife Viewing

Services and Amenities Available

Pack-in/Pack-out

Beaverhead Rock State Park

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