Jefferson River Chapter LCTA
Upcoming Local and Regional Events
June 19-20, 2026
Lewis and Clark Festival
Great Falls, Montana
Experience a journey of discovery through the weathered pages of the daily journals kept by Lewis and Clark; shared through presentation, ceremony, and guided experience. Demonstrations, exhibits, and other events of this period bring to life the history of this 200-year-old adventure.
The Annual Lewis and Clark Festival highlights events of the Lewis & Clark expedition during their stay in Great Falls in 1805. Observe reenactors in historic dress, taste foods the Expedition ate, smell the burning campfires, and learn how the men worked and what they found. Enjoy the sight of tipis in a native lodge encampment, and experience Native American Dancers and Drummers.
The event also includes fine arts and crafts vendors, food concessions, a children's area, and live music in the band shell throughout the day. There is an optional guided tour on Sunday, of the Portage Route throughout Great Falls. Join us in exploring the Lewis and Clark adventure!
Learn more:Lewis and Clark Festival and VisitMontana.
June 21-24, 2026
LCTA Annual Gathering
Great Falls, Montana
The 2026 LCTA annual meeting will be held in Great Falls, MT June 21 - 24, 2026, immediately following the local Lewis and Clark Festival.
Great Falls area has many important sites to see: first and foremost, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center-the home office of the LCTA and the William P. Sherman Library and Archives. Lewis and Clark sites in the area include the Great Falls of the Missouri, Upper and Lower Portage Camps, the Portage Route National Historic Landmark, Sulphur Springs, Decision Point, Grog Springs, Defeated Drain, Lewis and Clark Pass, the Two Medicine Fight Site, and Camp Disappointment.
Other fabulous sites of interest include the Charles M. Russell Museum, House, and Studio, which is also a National Historic Landmark. Near the Interpretive Center is Giant Springs, Montana's most visited state park. West of Great Falls is the First People's Buffalo Jump, also a National Historic Landmark. Just north of us is Fort Benton, another National Historic Landmark along the Trail.
Great Falls has six National Historic Districts, including the downtown Central Business District. The downtown is the only Accredited Main Street America community in the state. The downtown also has over 40 world-class artistic murals, classy shops and wonderful local restaurants. We look forward to seeing you at the LCTA 2026 Annual Gathering!
Saturday - Sunday June 27-28, 2026
Jefferson River Canoe Trail Annual Trip
Twin Bridges to Lost Tomahawk
The Jefferson River Canoe Trail retraces by water an essential segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail along the entire length of the Jefferson River in southwest Montana.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition towed dugout canoes up the Jefferson River in 1805 in search of a navigable water route to the Pacific. Most present-day travelers prefer to follow the trail in reverse, floating down the Jefferson River in search of fun and fishing. The entire length of the river is Class I water, suitable for beginning paddlers, except during runoff season in spring.
The Canoe Trail includes a network of multipurpose campsites on public lands on the Jefferson River. The public may float into these sites for primitive camping along the river. At each camp there are opportunities for such activities as bird watching, mushrooming, hiking, and fishing.
This year we will start back at the top, launching on the lower end of the Beaverhead River from Jessen Park in Twin Bridges, Montana. We will paddle 1.5 miles down the Beaverhead to the confluence with the Big Hole, where the two rivers merge to become the Jefferson. We will enjoy paddling, wildlife, and a little botanizing along the way, then camp on an expansive gravel bar near Silver Star. We have not yet acquired a dedicated property for a campsite in this area, but the gravel bar encompasses several acres within the ordinary high water mark, which includes side channels of the river, ponds, willow thickets, and walking access back to Silver Star through the Silver Star Fishing Access Site.
Please note that we will be paddling and camping during peak mosquito season on the Jefferson River. Mosquitos are not usually a problem while paddling, but make sure you have a tent with a good zipper for the night.
On day two we will continue downriver to Parson's Bridge at Waterloo, which is also the location of our Lost Tomahawk campsite. We will exit the river here, but anyone is welcome to camp overnight and continue down the river on their own the following day.
This event is hosted by the Jefferson River Chapter LCTA. The campout is open to members of the Jefferson River Chapter, as well as members of the Bozeman Kayaking and Canoeing Meetup Group, Green University alumni, and anyone else who would like to join us.
In lieu of a fee for the campout, we would be grateful for generous donations to the Jefferson River Canoe Trail to support work to secure additional public campsites along this segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Jefferson River Chapter LCTA
2026 Annual Meeting & Apple Cider Party
Saturday October 10, 2026
River Camp / Green University LLC
Mark your calendar for the Jefferson River Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance (LCTA) Annual Meeting & Apple Cider Party, Saturday October 10, 2026! We will squeeze fresh apple cider, enjoy a potluck dinner, and hold our annual business meeting.
The Jefferson River Chapter brings together supporters from near and far who are passionate about conservation, recreation, and history on the Jefferson River segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
We are an inclusive group with diverse interests in canoeing, kayaking, camping, fishing, walking, birding, and mushrooming along the Jefferson River. Come join us at the Annual Meeting to build community and learn what we can do to take positive action together!
This year we will be meeting at Green University's River Camp on the banks of the Jefferson River near Whitehall, Montana. Bring apples and jugs if you have them, or just show up and help out as we turn everyone's surplus apples into apple cider! We will make gallons of cider, then meet in the earthlodge for a potluck picnic and our Jefferson River Chapter Annual Business Meeting.
SCHEDULE
- 11 a.m.: Apple Cider Party: Bring apples and jugs if you have them, or just show up to help out.
- 2 p.m.: Potluck dinner. We will grill hamburgers over the campfire. Please bring complimentary dishes and reusable plates, cups, and silverware, Not disposables.
- 3 p.m.: Annual Business Meeting (1 hour).
Plans subject to change due to severe weather.
Location:
River Camp / Green University LLC
2 McKeown Lane
Cardwell, MT 59721
GPS: 45.859866, -112.012288
Please RSVP so we have an approximate idea of how many people will be attending.
And please invite anyone who might like to join us. Thank you!!!
Jefferson River Chapter LCTA
PO Box 697
Pony, MT 59747
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Sunday April 28, 2024
Shoshone Landing Work Party
Come join us for a day of work and fun! Last year we replaced the field fence along the southeast side of Shoshone Landing. This year we will replace the wire fence along a portion of the southwest side of the propety. The fence posts are in good shape, but we'll need to strip off the wire and apply new fencing.
The existing fence consists of woven field fence with a couple strands of barbwire along the top. The surrounding ranch landowner would like to see similar fencing for the upgraded fence, since the woven wire prevents dogs from dashing through the fence after his cattle. The terms of the access easement from the road into Shoshone Landing dictates that we are responsible for upkeep up the fence.
We will meet at Shoshone Landing by 11 a.m. Please bring any fencing tools you have, such as wire cutters, hammers, gloves, etc. Additional fence posts would be immensely helpful. Upon completion of the project we will enjoy an early spring potluck and barbecue.
Note that the Old Town Bridge adjacent to Shoshone Landing has been condemned and closed. Construction of the replacement bridge will begin soon.
Jefferson River Chapter LCTA
PO Box 697
Pony, MT 59747
Contact Us
Become a Member
Join us today!
Jefferson River Chapter Membership: Join us Today!