Headwaters Trail
Headwaters Trail System throughout Three Forks and around the town to Droulliard Fishing Access and the Missouri Headwaters State Park.
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26 YEARS OF TRAILS!
A Little History Of The Headwaters Trail System
The Headwaters Trail System is a paved network of trails that runs along the former Milwaukee Railroad bed through the City of Three Forks. There are just about 12 miles of paved trails in and around Three Forks, running to both the Headwaters State Park and the Jefferson River's Droulliard Fishing Access, as well as provide walking and biking capability to the Pogreba Field Airport. These trails cost over $1,300,000 and were implemented exclusively using donations and grant funding. Future plans include extending the trail to Manhattan, and other parts of the Gallatin Valley.
The scenic trail provides views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands, winds around ponds and through old growth cottonwood trees, and end on the banks of the Jefferson River.
In 2007, the Headwaters Trail System was selected as the Montana Trail of the Year by the State Fish, Wildlife & Parks department.
The Trails were featured in the “Great American Rail-Trail Rails to Trails Conservancy” project. This national trail utilizes old railroad beds by converting them into walking/biking trails, and stretches more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C. and Washington state. The Headwaters Trail was highlighted in the Rails to Trails magazine in 2019. Read it here! (this external article is not sight-impaired accessible). And a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the caboose at John Q. Adams Milwaukee Railroad Park. Watch it on youtube here!
In 2021 an additional trail coming back from Droulliard Fishing Access into town along Front Street, took a new route and we added three-quarter of a mile down Jefferson Street. The City finalized the connection from Montana Street to John Q. Adams Milwaukee Railroad Park, and over to the school (blue highlight on the map above) in late 2022.
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"Trails are community-based infrastructure, and one day they will connect everyone, everywhere."
— Ryan Chapman
Annual Fundraiser
The "Headwaters Bank Run" is an annual fundraiser, held the fourth weekend in July. Four local banks, First Security, First Community, Manhattan State Bank and Stockman Bank. This is a "fund run" offering a family-friendly 5K, 10K and now half-marathon. Pre-registration is available at Run Sign Up.
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“Thanks to the Council for allowing me to apply for such a variety of grants.”
— Gene Townsend, Headwaters Trail Department Head, and #1 supporter
2025 Trails Report
Headwaters Trails System Report – Gene Townsend reported on a successful award of a Recreeation Trails grant in the amount of $100,000; a Gallatin County Open Space grant also $100,000 was awarded specifically for trail maintenance. A large sink hole near "Buddy's bench" was discovered this past summer and the culvert had collapsed beneath the trail. This was repaired, as well as several deep and wide cracks around Bellach Park and the first and second ponds. These were cut out and new asphalt replaced in their place. Crack sealing on the Jefferson Street portion, in front of the grain elevator on Frontage Road, all around the golf course on Talc Road of the Trail System was completed as well.
Fundraisers held were the annual "Headwaters Bank Run" in July, and a burger & brat night at Farmer's Market in August, and several donations were received throughout 2025. In December, Gene was granted permission to apply for Recreation Trails Program, Montana Stewardship Program, Gallatin County Open Space Program, and an AARP Community Challenge grants in 2026.
Pedestrian bridge crossing over the Madison River so that one can continue on towards the Headwaters State Park
