Skip to main content
Fishing Access Site York's Islands Fishing Access Site
Overview Service & Activities
Overview Service & Activities
About The Corps of Discovery passed this way on their westward trek across the continent. The following excerpt from Lewis' journal describes what they saw in the upper Missouri Valley, near what is now Townsend: 'We saw many beaver and some otter today; the former dam up the small channels of the river between the islands and compel the river in these parts to make other channels; which as soon as it has effected that which was stopped by the beaver becomes dry and is filled with mud, sand, gravel and driftwood. The beaver is then compelled to seek another spot for his habitation where he again erects his dam. Thus the river in many places among the clusters of islands is constantly changing the direction of such sluices as the beaver are capable of stopping or of 20 yards in width. This animal in that way I believe to be very instrumental in adding to the number of islands with which we find the river crowded.' Lewis and Clark named these islands 'York's 8 Islands,' today known simply as 'York's Islands,' in honor of Captain William Clark's slave. The journals mention York on many occasions. During the expedition, he accompanied Clark everywhere, fished, hunted, observed various species of wildlife, and shared the misfortunes of the rest of the party such as illness, injury, frostbite, and hunger. He was the first black man to travel to the Pacific Ocean and return to tell the tale -- and eventually gain his freedom. As you can see, he was in every way a full member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. York's Islands Fishing Access Site is located on 22 acres along the Missouri River south of Townsend. A boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, camping and toilets are available for a small fee. Access for camp trailers, 30ft in length. No water. Please limit your stay to 7 days.
Contact
MAILING ADDRESS 1400 South 19th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59718
CONTACT 406-994-4042
Details
SEASON All Year
SPECIAL DIRECTIONS York's Islands Fishing Access Site is located 4 miles south of Townsend on US Highway 287, milepost 82, then west 1 mile. (Lat 46.267, Lng -111.494)
SERVICES Campsite Parking Public Restroom Toilets Water
ACTIVITIES Camping Fishing Motor Boating RV Camping Stream Fishing Swimming

See what's nearby

Filter:
Show All
Where To Stay
Things To Do
Food And Drink
Grid View
List View

4-R Ranch & Cattle Company

Working Ranch
Clancy, MT

Bar Gulch Cabin

National Forest Cabin
Townsend

Bar Gulch Trail

National Forest Trail
Townsend, MT

Battle Creek Ranch

Working Ranch
Townsend, MT

Big Rock Fright Nights

Fairgrounds
Boulder, MT

Birch Creek Trail

National Forest Trail
Townsend, MT

Blackbird

Fishing Access Site
Three Forks

Boulder Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Of Commerce
Boulder, MT

Boulder Farmers Market

Farmers Market
Boulder, MT