10-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Three Forks, MT in August 2023

1. Day 1: Headwaters State Park
   10 minutes (8 miles) from Three Forks

   Explore the beginning of the Missouri River, hike the nearby trails, and have a picnic with great views of surrounding mountains.

2. Day 2: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
   35 minutes (25 miles) from Three Forks

   Discover an underground world of limestone stalactites and stalagmites on a guided tour through one of the largest known cave systems in the Northwest.

3. Day 3: Headwaters Heritage Museum
   In downtown Three Forks

   Learn about the history and culture of Three Forks and the surrounding area through interactive exhibits, artifacts, and photographs.

4. Day 4: Missouri Headwaters State Park
   10 minutes (8 miles) from Three Forks

   Explore the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers, and learn about the expedition of Lewis & Clark who camped at this site more than 200 years ago.

5. Day 5: Norris Hot Springs
   15 minutes (9 miles) from Three Forks

   Relax and unwind at this natural hot springs and pool, listen to live music, and enjoy farm-to-table meals and drinks at the café.

6. Day 6: Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
   35 minutes (25 miles) from Three Forks

   Learn about the epic journey of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, their encounters with Native tribes, and their scientific discoveries at this multimedia museum.

7. Day 7: Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
   40 minutes (32 miles) from Three Forks

   Discover one of the largest bison kill sites in North America where Native peoples hunted buffalo for thousands of years and learn about their culture and traditions.

8. Day 8: Museum of the Rockies
   1 hour and 10 minutes (70 miles) from Three Forks

   Explore the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, the history of Montana, and the cultures of the Rocky Mountains at this Smithsonian-affiliated museum.

9. Day 9: Hyalite Recreation Area
   1 hour and 30 minutes (90 miles) from Three Forks

   Enjoy the beauty of the Gallatin National Forest, hike to stunning waterfalls, go fishing, mountain biking, or kayaking, and enjoy a sunset picnic by the lake.

10. Day 10: Montana Grizzly Encounter
    25 minutes (19 miles) from Three Forks

    Get up close to live grizzly bears, learn about their habitat, behavior, and conservation, and have fun with the kids at the play area.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Headwaters State Park (3 hours, free)
• Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park (2 hours, $15/person)
• Headwaters Heritage Museum (1 hour, $5/person)
• Missouri Headwaters State Park (2 hours, free)
• Norris Hot Springs (4 hours, $10-20/person)
• Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (2 hours, $8/person)
• Madison Buffalo Jump State Park (2 hours, $6-8/vehicle)
• Museum of the Rockies (3 hours, $15/person)
• Hyalite Recreation Area (5 hours, free)
• Montana Grizzly Encounter (2 hours, $10-15/person)
Total Estimated Costs: $75-110/person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting Yellowstone National Park or Bozeman, MT. If you have less time, you can skip some of the activities or sights that are not of interest to you. Make sure to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable shoes, and layers as the weather can be unpredictable in August.