Clinton: Between Rock Creek and Clark Fork

Clinton is a destination for anyone looking to combine water, nature, and different forms of active vacation days. Rock Creek Confluence is located about six miles southeast of Clinton. There, you will find a public walking trail and a parking area. There is also an approximately one-third-mile-long, wheelchair-accessible path. You can therefore choose your vacation rental or vacation home based on whether short distances, riverside landscapes, or guided experiences should be the focus.

Walking Trails and River Landscapes

At Rock Creek Confluence, there are 2.5 miles of shoreline along the Clark Fork River, a public walking trail, and a parking area. There is also an approximately one-third-mile-long, wheelchair-accessible path.

Another connection to nature and water can be found at Beavertail Hill State Park. There, an approximately half-mile-long stretch along the Clark Fork River offers opportunities for fishing and river trips. The park also has 24 campsites with electrical hookups and two tipi accommodations. A self-guided nature trail leads through a dense stand of cottonwood trees; the walk takes about an hour. This makes it possible to consider water activities and a nature-focused walk as different ideas for the day.

Fishing, Equipment, and Guided Tours

For travelers who want to focus on fly-fishing, John Perry's Montana Fly Fishing offers guided fly-fishing on Rock Creek. The offerings also include full-day boat trips and wade-fishing tours. Courses and seminars on fly tying and fly casting are also available upon request.

Rock Creek Fisherman's Mercantile complements this focus with a fully equipped fishing store. It offers flies, fishing equipment, rods, reels, lines, wading gear, and clothing. In addition to the fishing store, the business operates a six-room motel located a short distance from fishing opportunities on Rock Creek. When searching for a vacation rental in Clinton, the main question is therefore whether you want to choose your accommodation as an independent base for these activities or deliberately incorporate the local offerings into your itinerary.

More Things to Discover in Clinton

There are also specific points of interest away from the water. Clinton Skatepark is used for skateboards, bicycles, roller skates, and scooters. This provides another option for an active vacation day, especially when different interests come together during one trip. Ekstrom Stage Station, by contrast, adds a historical dimension: It consists of a collection of historic log cabins that were rebuilt along the Rock Creek River. Today, the station serves as a full-service campground and restaurant.

Those traveling with different age groups can consciously incorporate such contrasts into their planning: a walking trail or nature trail, a day by the river, a guided fishing tour, or a visit to the skatepark. The available facts describe different experiences, but not a shared route. When choosing your accommodation, it is therefore essential to consider which of these options you want to prioritize during your stay.

Clinton as a Starting Point for Other Destinations

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Clinton, you can also visit the pages for Missoula, Lolo, and Seeley Lake.

For the higher-level travel overview: Missoula County.