The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River

Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, Beartooth Peak

The Clarks Fork is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, flowing southeast through Montana, and Wyoming. It carves a path from the Beartooth Mountains in the north to the Absaroka Range this river is famous for its recreational opportunities and breath-taking views. It is in the northwest corner of Wyoming adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Originating in the high mountain peaks close to the Montana/Wyoming border at the western end of the Beartooth All-American Road, The Upper Clarks Fork headwaters are near the town of Cooke City, Montana, some 12 miles north of the Wyoming border. The Upper Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River parallels the highway for seventeen breathtaking miles which facilitate easy access.

Named for Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River flows through conifer forests, a spectacular canyon, and open farm country for 150 miles until it meets the Yellowstone River near Billings Montana. Captain William Clark passed by the mouth of the river where it merges with the main fork of the Yellowstone River but that is all he ever saw of his namesake river. When Captain Clark floated down the Yellowstone on his eastbound return during the Journey Of Discovery, he first thought that he had come upon the Bighorn River when he came upon the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. He later found the Bighorn River so he named the westernmost of the two rivers he had encountered in this area of Montana after himself.

The upper portion of the Clark’s Fork River is small, often only 10 feet across but quickly widens as feeder streams add to its flow. The upper section of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone (beginning at the Wyoming border) runs close to Highway 212 for half of its 25 miles. It flows 67 miles through Wyoming befo re turning to Montana.

A fly-fisherman tries his luck of the Clarks Fork below the beautiful spire of Beartooth Peak.

Fishermen enjoy easy access to this upper section of this high mountain river, with brook trout, rainbow trout, and Yellowstone Cutthroat trout all being in abundance. The fisheries of the lower reaches of the river are maintained by stocking by Wyoming Game and Fish and is managed as a basic yield fishery while the upper reaches and Clarks Fork are maintained by natural reproduction and managed as a wild fishery. From Reef Creek upstream, all fish over 8 inches shall be released immediately with a creel limit of six fish. Artificial flies and lures only in this section. From Reef Creek downstream, the creel limit is three fish with only one exceeding 12 inches and all legal methods of fishing are allowed. Hatches are abundant. Caddis is the major insect order, but there are plenty of golden stones, green drakes, blue-winged olives, flavilinea, pale-morning duns, and gray drakes. Fishing the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River offers large trout, beautiful floating opportunities and easy access to the river for all fishermen who want that perfect fishing vacation.

The Clarks Fork is treasured by fishermen because of its blue-ribbon trout fishery and hikers for the scenic backcountry trail that parallels the north side of the river; the Clark’s Fork is most famous for the spectacular 20 mile-long canyon it carves between the Beartooth Mountains on the north and the Absaroka Mountains to the south. Hemmed in by 1,200-foot high sheer granite walls, the canyon section was included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1991. Kayakers from around the world are attracted to this canyon by its continuous class IV – VI rapids, waterfalls, and plunges. The Box Canyon of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River is one of the most challenging multi-day runs in North America. The river cuts through the third deepest canyon in the lower forty-eight, and can only be accessed by kayakers or climbers. The Box Canyon itself possesses an indescribable, surreal beauty that is matched only by the power and difficulty of its rapids. Warning: Many portages in the Box begin as easy class four rapids that end in deadly drops with no way out, so aggressive boat scouting is NOT recommended. Also, there is no escape on foot for most of the run as the canyon walls lock you in.

For those who would rather not risk the rapids, a trail runs along the north shore and can be explored for about 20 miles. The trailhead is off the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, near a Forest Service campground. Hiking into the Clarks Fork Canyon from on top is hazardous under good conditions and reckless under bad conditions. Float access to the upper and lower sections is fair with low water being the limiting factor, but the canyon is limited to kayakers with expert skill rating.

The Lower Section of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone begins at the end of the deep canyon section. Approximately 3 miles after exiting the canyon of the Clarks Fork, the walls of the canyon widen to a mile or more, leaving lots of room for the river to begin snaking its way past the small community of Clark then on through agricultural land till it meets up with the main fork of the Yellowstone River meandering through cottonwood groves and beautiful prairie.

The 31 miles between the Montana/Wyoming border and Bridger, Montana is the easiest access. Below Bridger at the Fromberg Bridge and the Silesia Bridge are good access points. Rock Creek flows into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone above Silesia near the Silesia Bridge. The best fishing is probably going to be upstream from Bridger, Montana where there are rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and whitefish (all up to 15 inches and more).