Helena National Forest

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Home

Gates of the Mountain

As Meriwether Lewis traveled along the Missouri River in the Gates of the Mountains he wrote “...this evening we entered much the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen. these clifts rise from the waters edge on either side perpendicularly to the hight of 1200 feet. every object here wears a dark and gloomy aspect. The tow[er]ing and projecting rocks in many places seem ready to tumble on us……from the singular appearance of this place I called it the gates of the rocky mountains” (Meriwether Lewis, Friday, July 19, 1805).

After first glimpsing the Rocky Mountains on June 12, 1805, Lewis seemed to feel they were finally beginning their journey across these amazing mountains. They traveled until after dark, rowing against the current since the water was too deep for poling and there were few places of shoreline for the men to tow the boats or even to camp.

Clark never saw the Gates of the Mountains. He had left the main party with York, Potts, and Joseph Fields. He and his group were following the Old North Trail, an Indian trail which extended from Canada to Mexico. He notes the width of the road and the furrows dug by travois poles. While Lewis and party were rowing up river, Clark and his party were contending with bruised feet from prickly pear spines and sharp rocks poking through their moccasins.

The Helena National Forest maintains two recreation sites within the Gates of the Mountain canyon. These are only accessed via boat or foot. Meriwether Day Use area serves as a short stop for the commercial boat tours. Take a picnic lunch and catch a later boat back to the boat club. Coulter Campground is only accessible by private boat or by foot. From both areas trails head off into the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness.

The Gates of the Mountains are located 25 miles north of Helena and can be reached by traveling north from Helena on I-15. Commercial boat rides through the “Gates” are available daily during the summer.

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 17 May 2007 at 12:28:50 EDT