Clark’s Lookout

Quick Facts

Location:

25 Clark's Lookout Road Dillon, MT 59725

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places

MANAGED BY:

Clark’s Look­out State Park

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Clark’s Lookout is a High Potential Historic Site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

While Lewis’ scouting party proceeded overland, Clark led the main body of the expedition up the Beaver­head River. It was arduous work, with the group “much fatigued and weakened by being continualy in the water drawing the Canoes over the Sholes.” In response to the men’s complaints of the “emence labour they are obliged to undergo,” Clark drily noted, “I passify them.” On August 13, 1805, Clark ascended “a high Point of Limestone rocks on the Stard Side” in order to survey the route ahead. From here he took compass readings to “Point of the Beaver head hill” (Beaverhead Rock), the “Course of the Wisdom river” (Big Hole River), and the “gap at the place the [Beaverhead] river passes thro’ a mountain.”

Clark’s Lookout is located off Highway 91, just north of the town of Dillon. Established in 1985, Clark’s Look­out State Park is a largely undeveloped 8.2-acre site that encompasses the rocky promontory rising about 75 feet above the Beaverhead River. There is a parking area, interpretive signage, and a nearly quarter-mile trail loop. Visitors can hike to the top of the hill, which features a monument commemorating the compass readings taken by Clark and affords a sweeping view of the Beaverhead Valley.