Major city · United States
Three Forks
Give Three Forks half a day: the headwaters and the museum, then move on. Sleep here only if Bozeman is full or you want the rodeo in July.
Three Forks is a town of about 1,900 people where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers meet to form the Missouri — the spot Lewis and Clark reached in 1805. The town itself is a Main Street, a museum, a historic hotel and a brewery. The state parks around it are the reason to come, and you need a car for all of them. Most travellers see it as a stop between Bozeman and Butte, or as a cheaper bed outside Bozeman in summer.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some park facilities closed)
- Airport
- BZN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Three Forks911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Three Forks, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA small, low-crime town; the real risks are driving (wildlife at dusk, winter ice), heat and stairs at the caverns…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Montana Road Report (road conditions)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 35–40 min by car via I-90; the nearest commercial airport).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealBurger or steak dinner$18–35
- Street or quick mealBreakfast or diner plate$12–20
- BeerDraught beer at the brewery$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketState-park entry, per car$6
- Budget bedRV site with hookups, a night, per roomUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 35–40 min by car via I-90; the nearest commercial airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Three Forks: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes. Every park and cave listed here needs a car: no public transport runs to them, and rideshare is thin. Fill up in town before heading out — the gaps between stops are long.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Missouri Headwaters State Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive MT-2 east then Trident Rd, about 10 min from Main Street
The confluence itself; short trails, picnic tables, a hilltop view. Day-use fee applies.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
I-90 west to Whitehall, then the park road
Guided tours only, daily May 1–Sep 30; Classic tour about 2 h with 600+ stairs. Adults $15, seniors and youth $10.
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive south on Buffalo Jump Rd
Cliff used for bison drives for at least 2,000 years; open daily in daylight, $6 per car.
Door to door: About 35 min
I-90 east, about 30 mi
Museums, food and the main bed base for this stretch.
Virginia City
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
US 287 south, about 60 mi
Territorial-capital ghost town; pairs well with a half day in Three Forks.
Butte
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-90 west, about 65 mi
Mining history and a walkable uptown; good next stop west.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street and the Sacajawea Hotel
Walkable core: hotel, bars, café, museum. Best if you are here without a car.
I-90 exits 274 and 278
Motels and RV parks with easy highway access; you drive to everything.
Bozeman (30 min east)
Far more beds and restaurants; use Three Forks as a day stop instead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–230 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$80 · check | US$80 |
| State-park entry, per car1 × US$6 | US$6 |
| Caverns tour, per adult2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$58 |
| Trip total≈ US$317 per person per day, bed included | US$634 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Breakfast or diner plate | $12–20 |
| Burger or steak dinner | $18–35 |
| Draught beer at the brewery | $6–9 |
| Gas, per gallon | $3–4 (check) |
| State-park entry, per car | $6 |
| Caverns tour, adult | $15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are bigger than they look: the caverns are about 29 km (18 mi) southwest, the buffalo jump about 19 km (12 mi) south.Distances are bigger than they look: the caverns are about 18 mi (29 km) southwest, the buffalo jump about 12 mi (19 km) south.
- Lewis and Clark Caverns is guided-tour only and the Classic tour has over 600 stairs; the cave area is hot and shadeless on the walk in.
- Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms and hail; start drives early.
- Cell coverage drops on the back roads to the parks — download offline maps.
- Winter closes or limits some state-park facilities; check before driving out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Montana Road Report (road conditions)
- 511
Pocket card
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Three ForksThree Forks
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Road conditions511
Embassy
No consulates here; nearest are in Denver or Seattle. US emergencies: 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BZN airport → Three Forks, rental car: about 35–40 min via I-90
- Three Forks → Bozeman: about 30 mi, 35 min
- Three Forks → Lewis and Clark Caverns: about 18 mi, 30 min
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the cave tour running today? — Is the cave tour running today?
- How far is it to Bozeman? — How far is it to Bozeman?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Rural Montana: fuel up, carry water, and expect no signal on back roads.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Three Forks. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some park facilities closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BZN: rental-car desk hours, last shuttle, taxi fallback to Three Forks.
- Walking cluster: Main Street, Sacajawea Hotel, Headwaters Heritage Museum, brewery.
- Place pages with verified hours and tour times for the caverns, buffalo jump and headwaters.
- July rodeo dates and ticket route, plus a Bozeman-is-full fallback bed list.
Sources
- officialThree Forks, Montana — official city site
- officialThree Forks Chamber of Commerce
- officialMontana FWP — Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- officialMontana FWP — Missouri Headwaters State Park
- officialMontana FWP — Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
- officialHeadwaters Heritage Museum
- officialBridger Brewing — Three Forks
- officialSacajawea Hotel
- secondaryWikivoyage: Three Forks, revision 5321587 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Three Forks
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