How To Get to The Four Rivers Fishing Company Twin Bridges, Montana
 How to get to Twin Bridges, Montana
At fly fishing shows, after people ask "What's Montana Time?" they want to know "Where is Twin Bridges?". Located in the Ruby Valley, at an elevation of 4,623 ft, Twin Bridges is a small city in southwest Montana, with a population of just over 400.
The area around Twin Bridges is rich in history and western lore. The town sits alongside Montana Highway 41, about 50 miles south of Butte and 26 miles north of Dillon. Twin Bridges is where the Ruby and Big Hole rivers surge together with the Beaverhead River to form the Jefferson River. Now you can see why this is the place to come for your Montana fly fishing destination.
Travelling on east/west on I- 90, follow these directions:
- Take the MT-55 exit- EXIT 249- toward MT-69 / WHITEHALL
- Turn LEFT onto MT-55 / N WHITEHALL ST / WHITETAIL RD. Continue to follow MT-55 / N WHITEHALL ST.
- Turn RIGHT onto W LEGION AVE / MT-2 / MT-55 / MT-69. Continue to follow MT-2 / MT-55 / MT-69.
- Turn LEFT onto MT-55 and continue for 12 miles.
- MT-55 becomes MT-41 / MT-287. Continue for 14 miles.
- Turn LEFT onto E 5TH AVE.
- Turn RIGHT onto N MADISON ST.
- Welcome to Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges is about 80 miles from the Bozeman Airport, and about 50 miles from Butte. If you are considering flying to Montana (many of our guests do), the following major US domestic airlines serve Bozeman and Butte:
- United Airlines/United Express (1-800-864-8331)
- Northwest Airlines
(1-800-225-2525)
- Delta Airlines (
800-221-1212)
- Alaska Airlines
(1-800-252-7522)
- Horizon Air (1-800-547-9308)
- Big Sky Airlines (1-800-237-7788)
Skywest Airlines also serves Bozeman, and reservations are handled through United Airlines ticketing.
Lodging
near Twin Bridges
The Jefferson River Guest Ranch and campground is located on the beautiful Jefferson River with over a 1/2 mile of private access water. Owned and operated by Greg Smith. The 75 acre ranch includes two modern cabins, a nice bedroom apartment and 13 campsites with electric and water hookups. There is a "Commons" area that includes restrooms, showers and recreation room.
For reservations - Please call The Four Rivers fly shop at 1-888-4-RIVERS (474-8377). You can reach Greg directly at 406-684-5225 or e-mail him at greg@4riversmontana.com.
RV's are welcome |
75 acres on the Jefferson River |
Some History about Twin Bridges
The Jefferson and Beaverhead rivers provided the water route by which the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-05 traveled this part of Montana in its quest to explore the Northwest and reach the Pacific Ocean. And it was along the Jefferson River that Sacajawea, a 12-year-old Shoshone girl, was captured by a war party of Hidatsa Indians and taken to the Hidatsa-Mandan villages near modern Bismarck, North Dakota. Five years later, at the age of 17, Sacajawea and her husband Toussaint Charbonneau and infant son Baptiste were members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition traveling up these same rivers to Horsetail Creek and an eventual meeting with her family and tribe near Lemhi Pass.
During this expedition it was then that Sacajawea recognized the surrounding landscape as one frequented by her people when she saw a rocky outcrop known as Beaverhead Rock. Her recognition of this landmark assured the expedition that it probably would contact the Shoshones soon. The Shoshones were counted upon to provide the much needed horses necessary for the expedition to pass through the Bitterroot Valley and cross the Bitterroot Mountains.
Four Indian trails came together at a bend of the Beaverhead River north of the present school building in Twin Bridges. These trails were used by early settlers and freight companies, and helped to establish where the community of Twin Bridges would develop. Judge M.H. Lott came to Montana in 1862, and with his brother John T. Lott, settled in the Ruby Valley in 1864. In 1865 they built a bridge across the Beaverhead River, and later built another bridge across the Beaverhead at the Point of Rocks. The Lott brothers continued development of roads and promoted settlement of the town, which was incorporated in 1902, with M.H. Lott as the first mayor. |
