Tower Rock

State Park on the Missouri River

Tower Rock State Park is one of Montana's newest state parks. The 400-foot high igneous rock formation lies in a 140-acre site along the stretch of the Missouri River near Cascade, Montana. Visitors to this park can learn about the geology and history of the site at interpretive panels located at the trailhead. The trail to the base of the saddle is maintained for a quarter-mile.

Tower Rock State Park is day use only. Overnight camping is allowed in nearby fishing access sites. Before Tower Rock was referenced in the journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, many Native American tribes used the rock as a landmark when they were entering and leaving the rich buffalo grounds of today's north central Montana. Captain Meriwether Lewis noted in his journal "an Indian road enters the mountain at the same place with the river on the Stard side and continues along it's border under the steep cliffs." Lewis also wrote in his journal, "At this place there is a large rock of 400 feet high which stands immediately in the gap which the Missouri makes on it's passage from the mountains... This rock I called the tower. It may be ascended with some difficulty nearly to it's summit and from it there is a most pleasing view of the country we are now about to leave. From it I saw that evening immense herds of buffaloe in the plains below." Meriwether Lewis, July 16, 1805.

This famous rock became a landmark for native tribes, the Corps of Discovery, fur trappers and traders and many more that followed in their footsteps. Now you can follow in their footsteps when you take in the beauty and nature of Tower Rock State Park.

Indian Education For All Lesson Plan

Tower Rock State Park is located on the Missouri River 2181 miles from the mouth .  Devils Kitchen is the next access site up stream from Tower Rock. 

• Bighorn Sheep
• Mule Deer
• White-tailed Deer

• Western Rattlesnake

Abundance Codes