Beaverhead Rock State Park

This massive rock, which some believe resembles the head of a swimming beaver, played a prominent role in the lives of the explorers. In August of 1805, the men were weary, had lost their way and were desperately in need of horses in order to cross the mountains to the Pacific. Sacagawea, an expedition guide, recognized the prominent landmark and assured fellow travelers that they were nearing the summer homeland of her tribe, the Shoshone. This marked a milestone for both the party and Sacagawea, who had been kidnapped years earlier and taken from her home and family by raiders from another tribe. The Beaverhead Rock State Park, just north of Dillon, Montana, isn’t easily accessible, but can still be photographed against the wide expanse of Montana sky from a distance. The explorers met up with the Shoshone a few days after Sacagawea recognized Beaverhead Rock, and traded goods for horses.