Beavertail Hill State Park
🦌 Where I-90 Slows Down for the View — Montana’s Best Roadside State Park Between Missoula and Butte — Beavertail Hill State Park along Interstate 90 near Gold Creek, Powell County, Montana, 65 acres of scenic hillside park, interpretive trails through rock formations, Clark Fork River valley views, camping (28 sites), picnic area, wildlife viewing, Lewis and Clark trail corridor, Continental Divide approach — Powell County, MT
Between Missoula and Butte, Interstate 90 follows the Clark Fork River through a valley of grass and sage, ringed by mountains. At mile marker 130, the highway gives you a reason to stop. Beavertail Hill State Park sits on a rocky hillside above the valley floor — 65 acres of interpretive trails through dramatic rock formations, with views that stretch across the entire Clark Fork drainage.
It’s a roadside park, yes. But it’s a Montana roadside park — which means pronghorn in the sage flats, golden eagles overhead, and a campground where you fall asleep listening to the river and wake up to mountains in every direction.
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Interpretive Trails | Short trails wind through tilted rock formations on the hillside. Signs explain the geology — these rocks were once an ancient seabed, thrust upward and eroded into the formations you see today |
| Valley Views | Panoramic views of the Clark Fork River valley from the hilltop. The Flint Creek Range to the west, the Boulder Mountains to the east. On clear days, you can see the Continental Divide |
| Camping | 28 campsites — a mix of tent and RV sites. No hookups but paved pads. The campground sits above the valley with views. A remarkably good overnight stop on I-90 |
| Wildlife | Pronghorn antelope in the sage flats below. Golden eagles and red-tailed hawks soaring the thermals off the hill. Mule deer, coyotes, and ground squirrels. Rattlesnakes in summer — watch your step on trails |
| Gold Creek | The nearby town of Gold Creek is where Montana’s first major gold discovery was made in 1852 — 10 years before the bigger strikes at Bannack and Virginia City |
The Clark Fork Corridor
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark | The Corps of Discovery passed through this valley in 1805 and 1806. Clark’s return route in 1806 followed the Clark Fork downstream — the river is named for him |
| Gold Rush | Gold was discovered at Gold Creek in 1852 by François Finlay — Montana’s first gold strike. The rush that followed opened the territory to settlement |
| Railroad | The Northern Pacific Railroad chose this valley for its transcontinental route. The last spike was driven at Gold Creek in 1883, completing the railroad from Minnesota to Puget Sound |
| Geology | The rock formations at Beavertail Hill are ancient Belt Supergroup rocks — 1.5 billion years old. Once flat-lying seabed sediments, now tilted and eroded into the formations along the trail |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Perfect camping weather. Long days. Wildflowers on the hillside. Pronghorn fawns. Golden eagles nesting |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Cool nights, warm days. Valley turning gold. Hunting season nearby. Fewer travelers on I-90 |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Snow melting off the mountains. River running high. Trails accessible but muddy. Rattlesnakes emerging |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Park open but limited services. Cold — this is Montana. Snow on the formations. Beautiful but harsh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this just a rest area?
No — it’s a full state park with camping. 28 campsites, interpretive trails, and panoramic views. It started as a roadside stop but grew into something worth planning an overnight around.
Can I reserve a campsite?
Campsites are first-come, first-served. No reservations. The park rarely fills except during peak summer weekends. Arrive by mid-afternoon in July to be safe.
🦌 Montana’s Best Excuse to Pull Off I-90
1.5-billion-year-old rocks. Pronghorn in the sage. The Clark Fork River below. The Continental Divide above. And 28 campsites where the view is better than most hotels in America.
