Clark’s Lookout is a scenic viewpoint in Beaverhead County, Montana. It lies in or next to Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, so park hours, fees and rules apply. It sits roughly 2.2 km (1.4 mi) N of Dillon.
From the National Park Service
Clark’s Lookout is a High Potential Historic Site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
While Lewis’ scouting party proceeded overland, Clark led the main body of the expedition up the Beaverhead River. It was arduous work, with the group “much fatigued and weakened by being continualy in the water drawing the Canoes over the Sholes.” In response to the men’s complaints of the “emence labour they are obliged to undergo,” Clark drily noted, “I passify them.” On August 13, 1805, Clark ascended “a high Point of Limestone rocks on the Stard Side” in order to survey the route ahead. From here he took compass readings to “Point of the Beaver head hill” (Beaverhead Rock), the “Course of the Wisdom river” (Big Hole River), and the “gap at the place the [Beaverhead] river passes thro’ a mountain.”
Clark’s Lookout is located off Highway 91, just north of the town of Dillon. Established in 1985, Clark’s Lookout State Park is a largely undeveloped 8.2-acre site that encompasses the rocky promontory rising about 75 feet above the Beaverhead River. There is a parking area, interpretive signage, and a nearly quarter-mile trail loop. Visitors can hike to the top of the hill, which features a monument commemorating the compass readings taken by Clark and affords a sweeping view of the Beaverhead Valley.
Text: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov.
Sunrise & sunset directions
At Clark’s Lookout the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 55° (NE) at the June solstice and 124° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 306° (NW) in June to 237° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 68° in summer but only 21° in winter.
| Date | Sunrise | Azimuth | Sunset | Azimuth | Noon sun | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox (Mar 20) | 7:34 AM | 90° E | 7:43 PM | 271° W | 45° | 12h 09m |
| June solstice (Jun 21) | 5:44 AM | 55° NE | 9:23 PM | 306° NW | 68° | 15h 39m |
| September equinox (Sep 22) | 7:18 AM | 89° E | 7:30 PM | 271° W | 45° | 12h 12m |
| December solstice (Dec 21) | 8:07 AM | 124° ESE | 4:51 PM | 237° WSW | 21° | 8h 44m |
Azimuth is measured clockwise from true north (90° = east, 270° = west). Computed for 2026; values change by less than a degree from year to year.
Golden hour & blue hour by month
Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.
| Month (15th) | Blue hour starts | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Blue hour ends | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:34 AM | 8:07 AM | 8:53 AM | 4:28 PM | 5:14 PM | 5:47 PM | 9h 08m |
| February | 7:02 AM | 7:33 AM | 8:14 AM | 5:17 PM | 5:58 PM | 6:29 PM | 10h 26m |
| March | 7:15 AM | 7:44 AM | 8:23 AM | 6:58 PM | 7:37 PM | 8:06 PM | 11h 53m |
| April | 6:15 AM | 6:46 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:37 PM | 8:16 PM | 8:47 PM | 13h 30m |
| May | 5:27 AM | 6:02 AM | 6:44 AM | 8:11 PM | 8:54 PM | 9:28 PM | 14h 52m |
| June | 5:05 AM | 5:43 AM | 6:28 AM | 8:35 PM | 9:21 PM | 9:58 PM | 15h 38m |
| July | 5:22 AM | 5:58 AM | 6:42 AM | 8:32 PM | 9:16 PM | 9:52 PM | 15h 18m |
| August | 6:00 AM | 6:33 AM | 7:13 AM | 7:59 PM | 8:39 PM | 9:11 PM | 14h 07m |
| September | 6:40 AM | 7:10 AM | 7:49 AM | 7:05 PM | 7:43 PM | 8:13 PM | 12h 33m |
| October | 7:17 AM | 7:47 AM | 8:27 AM | 6:07 PM | 6:47 PM | 7:16 PM | 11h 00m |
| November | 6:58 AM | 7:30 AM | 8:15 AM | 4:18 PM | 5:02 PM | 5:34 PM | 9h 33m |
| December | 7:30 AM | 8:04 AM | 8:53 AM | 4:00 PM | 4:49 PM | 5:23 PM | 8h 46m |
Local time (America/Denver), including daylight saving time. Golden hour runs from about −4° to +6° solar altitude, so the morning golden hour begins during blue hour, before sunrise.
Milky Way & night sky
From Clark’s Lookout, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from April through August. June gives the longest window (about 3.2 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 16° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 4 (rural / suburban transition), good enough for detailed Milky Way images.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Below 10° in darkness | — | -4° | — |
| February | Below 10° in darkness | — | 7° | — |
| March | 5:36 AM – 5:56 AM | 0.3 | 12° | SSE → SSE |
| April | 3:35 AM – 4:55 AM | 1.3 | 15° | SSE → S |
| May | 1:34 AM – 3:44 AM | 2.2 | 16° | SSE → S |
| June | 11:56 PM – 3:06 AM | 3.2 | 16° | SSE → SSW |
| July | 11:39 PM – 1:49 AM | 2.2 | 16° | S → SSW |
| August | 10:35 PM – 11:45 PM | 1.2 | 15° | SSW → SSW |
| September | 9:25 PM – 9:45 PM | 0.3 | 12° | SSW → SSW |
| October | Below 10° in darkness | — | 7° | — |
| November | Below 10° in darkness | — | -3° | — |
| December | Below 10° in darkness | — | -20° | — |
Window when the galactic core is at least 10° high during astronomical darkness on the 15th of each month. Pick nights within a few days of the new moon. Plan exact nights with the Milky Way planner.
Estimated sky darkness: 4 Bortle 4 — Rural / suburban transition. Light domes are visible in several directions; the Milky Way is clear but lacks detail near the horizon. Modeled zenith brightness ≈ 20.58 mag/arcsec². Aurora needs roughly Kp 5.5+ to show low on the northern horizon here.
Weather & best season
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show July as the clearest month (about 36% average cloud cover) and March as the cloudiest (71%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 44 | 51 | 64 | 75 | 86 | 92 | 98 | 93 | 89 | 77 | 64 | 44 |
| Low °F | -31 | -24 | -22 | 4 | 17 | 25 | 33 | 31 | 19 | -1 | -25 | -32 |
| Precip. (in) | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
Monthly climatology for the surrounding 1° grid cell from NASA POWER (MERRA-2). Mountain sites can be colder and cloudier than the cell average.
Photography tips for this scenic viewpoint
- A panorama of 3–5 vertical frames gives more resolution and a wider view without a fisheye look.
- Blue hour after sunset is excellent for towns or roads below the viewpoint as lights come on.
- Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find a composition before the light peaks.
- Use a telephoto (70–200 mm) to isolate layered ridges and light rays instead of shooting only wide.
- Scout in daylight if you plan to shoot at night or before sunrise.
Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.
Suggested gear: Tripod, Telephoto lens, Graduated ND filter, Headlamp. Work out exposures with the depth of field, ND filter and NPF rule calculators.
Permits, drones & access
National Park Service rules. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones: Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Nearby photo spots
Other locations within 25 km of Clark’s Lookout, closest first.
Campgrounds nearby (Recreation.gov)
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Clark’s Lookout?
What time is golden hour at Clark’s Lookout?
Where does the sun rise and set at Clark’s Lookout?
Can you see the Milky Way from Clark’s Lookout?
Do you need a permit to photograph at Clark’s Lookout?
How far is Clark’s Lookout from Dillon?
Sources
Location data: National Park Service. Sun, moon and Milky Way times are computed by LWPhoto Atlas for 2026. Climate: NASA POWER. Sky darkness is a population-based estimate (Walker's law), not a measurement. See data sources & licenses.