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! 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.

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.

2023 Trails Report - (excerpt from the 12/12/2023 Council minutes)

Headwaters Trails System Annual Report – Gene Townsend reported that his first grant applied for last year was the Recreation Trails grant, which had a 25% local match.  “In February we submitted a AARP challenge grant for exercise equipment at the ponds.  We requested $13,099 to cover the equipment and plastic borders.  In March, Gallatin County Open Space grant was applied for: $100,000 for trail maintenance.  We were awarded that in April.  The AARP also awarded us the $13,099 – equipment was ordered and is still pending to be shipped.  In July we hosted the Headwaters Bank Run, with over 100 runners this year.  We did not hold a food night at the Farmer’s Market due to a scheduling conflict with the Chamber this summer.”

Gene continued that there was a lot of maintenance along Frontage Road and to the Headwaters State Park was done.  “We did not do the extension towards Logan because MDT wouldn’t grant an encroachment permit.  That was overturned but the engineer recommended waiting for better weather to go out to bid.  We will extend to Ray Creek – and maybe gravel even further.  We are working east and working with the Manhattan Trail System to eventually connect.  Buchanan has done a tremendous amount of work with Cenex Harvest States.  We have a grant request submitted for a feasibility study for this project – once done that will allow us to put in more grant applications with the Highway Department and Federal Highway Departments.”

Gene said this past year the trail signage and crosswalk at the grain elevator was completed, and a couple bike racks and benches were also installed.  He thanked Magris Talc for always providing the local match for these grants.  He thanked the local banks for their sponsorships for the annual run.  “It’s a great fundraiser for us and without their help it wouldn’t be as profitable event as it is.  I’d like to thank Kelly Smith, Crystal Turner and the city crew for helping me scan documents and all the things they help us do.  I’d like to thank all the donors, volunteers, trail users – those who mow, plow snow, spray weeds, the citizens really accepted and continued support the trail system.  He thanked Pat [his wife] for all her help and support in all the things she does to help him administer the trail system.  “We plan on doing the same thing with grant submittals this year.”

George Chancellor thanked Gene for all his work, “Three Forks is outstanding because of the trails, it’s just one more reason that Three Forks is a great place,” he said.