Three Forks is a community of about 1,500 persons situated at the headwaters of the Missouri River, at an elevation of 4,081, 30 miles west of Bozeman. This area is well documented in the journals of Lewis and Clark and has colorful early day history. The town has an agricultural, industrial and tourism based economy and is known for excellent hunting and fishing.


The Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers join together to form the Missouri River at the Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana. The rivers, steams and lakes in the region offer some of the finest fly fishing for trout found anywhere in the world, and the scenery around our trout waters is spectacular. Fly fishing enthusiasts will find blue ribbon trout streams minutes from town. Fishermen from all around travel to the Bozeman area to spend quality time on our rivers. Cold clear streams and lakes provide rainbow, cutthroat and golden trout, as well as grayling and mountain whitefish. The nationally renowned Madison River, the storied Yellowstone River and the famous Gallatin River are all blue ribbon fisheries located in or adjacent to Gallatin County. Hunting opportunities abound in the area. In fact, there is the opportunity to hunt more species here than in any other area in the western states.

Yellowstone National Park and additional wild lands managed by the U.S. National Forest Service, Montana Department of Fish and Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private agricultural interests provide wildlife hunting, photography, or viewing opportunities for many species.

Elk, bighorn sheep, mule and white-tailed deer, coyote, pronghorn antelope, bald and golden eagles, moose, mountain goat, black and grizzly bear, and an array of less obvious, but no less remarkable animals, still find suitable range and habitat here.