Clark Canyon Reservoir

About 15 miles south of Dillon, this southwest Montana fishing gem holds the combined flow of the Red Rock River, and Horse Prairie Creek. Their one-time confluence is now submerged.  Where its waters leave the reservoir’s earth filled dam, the Beaverhead River forms and begins its surge northward.

An ample shoreline of about seventeen miles and excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout make Clark Canyon a destination for lake fishing folks. Almost 100 campsites for tents sites to RV hookups and boat ramp add to its popularity.

And in the annals of American history, this place played a role. The Corps of Discovery, heading westward were searching desperately for an indigenous tribe to obtain horses to continue their journey across the Rockies. Here on August 17, 1805, they met the Lemhi Shoshone and Sacajawea’s people. When connected, Sacajawea realized the chief, Cameahwait, was her brother. The explorers were able to make the trade.

While at what is now Three Forks with her tribe, five years earlier Sacajawea had been kidnapped by the Sioux related Hidatsa band who came to the mountains to hunt.  She was living in today’s Bismarck area when she encountered Captains Lewis & Clark and joined the expedition with her husband Toussaint Charbonneau.

For this good fortune they named the spot Camp Fortunate. And it was here that they cached canoes and supplies that would be retrieved the next summer on Clark’s return trip that would take him down the Yellowstone; he reached the camp on July 8. 1806.